. Earns N1.046 trn revenue in 9 months
By Emeka Okoroanyanwu
The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 16 containers of illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other items.
It also announced the collection of N1.046trillion revenue between January and November 7 this year.
Controller of the Command, Mr Dera Nnadi, at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, said the seizures include Codeine-based products, numerous shipments of cough syrups with codeine; Barcadin with Codeine, Broncleer with Codeine, and DSP with Codeine for throat and chesty cough (100ml, 200 bottles per carton).
Others, he said, were, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, 420 cartons of Royal 225 (Tapentadol HVCL 125mg and Carisoprodol BP 100mg).
Also seized are 200 cartons of 5mg Benzhexol Tablets (Brand: Trodal), 77 packets (38.5kg), 532 packets (265.025kg), packets of cannabis indica.
Among the seized items also are Diclofenac Sodium Tablets, the Really Extra brand (50mg, 100 packs per carton) and BiomalArtesunate injection.
Other seized goods include ceiling fans, Deluxe chilli cutters, and stainless steel blenders.
Nnadi disclosed that the goods came on vessels from India, United Kingdom and Canada. They are “SpilKartika (Hapag Lloyd, on voyage No. 2417W) Volana (Hapag Lloyd, on voyage Nos. 2416W, 2421W),
Maliako (Hapag Lloyd, on voyage No. 2421W), WadiBani Khalid (Hapag Lloyd, on voyage Nos. 2423W), MSC Sweden VI and MSC Katyayni NY427A.
The Controller said that the containers were inspected by multiple enforcement agencies including Customs, NDLEA, and NAFDAC.
He also disclosed that the 13 containers of the unregistered pharmaceutical products have been handed over to NAFDAC, recalling that on October 2, 2024, the Tincan Island Port Command officially handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 341.025 kg, with an estimated street value of ₦682,050,000.00 to the N DLEA.
He recalled also that on October 2, 2024, the Tincan Island Port Command officially handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 341.025 kg, with an estimated street value of ₦682,050,000.00 to the anti narcotic agency.
These narcotics, Nnadi said, were discovered in three 40ft containers Nos: MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3), as part of the efforts of the Command to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination.
He warned that the Command in particular and the Service in general would deploy all necessary resources and strategies at its disposal and in collaboration with local and foreign partner security and regulatory agencies check the menace of illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country. “ We are more than committed to deliver on this mandate”, he said.
On the N1.046trillion, the Controller said he wishes to celebrate the milestone of collecting over One Trillion Naira as Customs duty being the first time it has been achieved in the history of the command.
Nnnadi added, “I dedicate this achievement to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team.
“The Command acknowledges the specific roles of the DCG Tariff and Trade and the DCG ICT /Modernization for their contributions too.
“Aware that a secured border will translate to more revenue at the seaports, we also appreciate the support of the DCG Enforcement, Investigation and inspection in enforcing compliance among our stakeholders leading to the increased revenue in the Command.
“While we celebrate our esteemed stakeholders who embraced our reforms and complied with Customs extant laws and guidelines, those who did are regretting their loss and the pain of non compliance”.