…As TinCan Customs unmasks, handover 2 containers to NAFDAC***

The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted in October, various contraband goods worth N55. 7 million, alongside three suspects who are currently under investigations.

The Customs Area Comptroller, David Chikan who confirmed this on Wednesday in Ibadan during a media briefing, has subsequently warned traders in illicit items that the tea party is over.

Comptroller Chikan said the seized items included 14 used vehicles with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N25.7 million and 1,440 bags of rice with DPV of N19.38 million.

He highlighted that the command also intercepted 800 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N6.7 million, while the DPV for seized second-hand clothes amounted to N4.06 million.

He also revealed how the seized vehicles were used to conceal the contraband which included second-hand clothes, foreign rice, used tyres and others, adding that most of the seizures were made along Oyo/Ibadan road, while the used vehicles were intercepted on Saki axis in Oke-Ogun through a synergy with the Headquarters Compliance Team and Customs Intelligence Unit.

“The overall duty paid value of all the arrested items is N55.661 million.

“In keeping faith with this noble promise, the Oyo/Osun Area Command had initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits as evidenced in the arrest made.

“The sized vehicles were used to conceal prohibited items notably second hand clothing, foreign rice and other contraband goods.

“Let me use this forum to reiterate the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to go the extra miles in botching the unholy strategies of smugglers.

“Smugglers have nothing else, but to cause havoc to the national economy”, he posited, assuring

genuine and compliant traders of the Command’s full cooperation and support whenever they may be in need of it.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command last Friday  handed over to NAFDAC, 2 x 40ft containers load of pharmaceutical products imported into the country and falsely declared as vehicles, computer accessories and make-up items.

The Command’s Controller, Bashar Yusuf unmasked containers marked MSKU 071916/0 and MRKU 256545/8, sequel to his adoption of the latest operational methodology involving profiling, cargo selectivity and system checks of the advance electronic manifest.

Bashar highlighted that the containers were flagged following some discrepancies in the documentation and declaration made in the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form C 2010, hence the need for further checks.

“The declarations made on SGD C-No. 13473 of 09-02-2017 and SGD C- N0. 84118 of 24-08-2017 were at variance with the contents in the system bill lading, which fuelled the suspicion”, indicated the Customs Area Controller, giving the Importers names as J. S. Akuasosi Nig. Enterprises Ltd. of No. 31 Balogun Street Amuwo Odofin, Lagos and Del-Dominion Gold Ventures of No. 5 Borno Crescent Apapa – Lagos and S. Chinax Services Nig. Ltd. of No. 5 Industrial Road Port-Harcourt and Robby Concept Int’l Agency Ltd. of Mini Flat 4 Nnewi building Apapa-Lagos, as declarants”, he stated.

Subsequently, he directed that the two containers be taken to the Enforcement Unit for 100% Examination which revealed that Container MSKU 071916/0 harboured: 240 Cartons of New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg Tablets; 240 Cartons of Double Extra Strong Tramadol 200mg; 240 Cartons of Super Power Tramadol Hydrochloride; 70 Cartons of Ibamol – Diclofenac Sodium Capsules 50mg; 60 Cartons of Really Extra – Analgesique.

While container MRKU 256545/8 actually had 240 Cartons of New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg Tablets; 60 Cartons of Really Extra – Analgesique, Antipyretique, Anti-Inflammatoire Tablets; 240 Cartons of Double Extra Strong Tramadol 200mg; 240 Cartons of Super Power Tramadol Hydrochloride; 70 Cartons of Ibamol – Diclofenac Sodium Capsules 50mg.

Bashar maintained that the contents were totally at variance with the declarations which was three units of used vehicles, cartons of makeup kits, 850 cartons of computer accessories (keyboard and Mouse).

“This infraction which is tantamount to untrue declaration falls under section 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act  CAP C45 LFN 2004 as amended”, he stated further, before handing over the containers to the National Agency for Foods, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Bashar reiterated his resolve to make the Command a model Port where compliant traders will enjoy all the tools for trade facilitation created by the Nigeria Customs Service in line with global best practices, enjoining importers and their agents to continually uphold the tenets of integrity and due diligence in their declarations as anything contrary would be viewed seriously.

The image-maker, Uche Ejesieme confirmed that the containers were eventually handed over  to the representative of the DG NAFDAC, Abubarkar Salisu Abdu, the Chief Regulatory Officer NAFDAC Port Health Tincan Island Port, Lagos.