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Customs In Remarkable Seizures of Unregistered Drugs *Intercepts 16 Containers Of Illicit Drugs*Generates Over N1Trillion As Revenue

By Anne Ejuka


The Nigeria Customs Services through the TinCan Island Command has made a remarkable seizure of 16 containers ladden with illicit and dangerous drugs which were imported from India. The command also generated a total sum of N1,046,496,593,103.60 as revenue within ten months of 2024. January to November 2024.


Showcasing the seizures to the journalists on thursday at the command scanning site,  the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command,  Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni said these significant seizures of illicit substances and unregistered pharmaceutical products were made between May 17 and October 23, 2024, after inspection of the sixteen containers by multiple enforcement agencies including Customs, NDLEA, and NAFDAC.



Breakdown of the seizures includes numerous shipments of codeine-based cough syrups (Barcadin, Broncleer, and DSP with Codeine), 420 cartons of Royal 225 (Tapentadol HVCL 125mg and Carisoprodol BP 100mg), 200 cartons of 5mg Benzhexol Tablets (Brand: Trodal),

Diclofenac Sodium Tablets (Really Extra brand, 50mg) all these originated from India while Biomal Artesunate Injection came from United Kingdom and 381.025kg of Cannabis Indica came from Canada.



Other goods seized are ceiling fans, deluxe chilli cutters, stainless steel blenders. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures as stated by the Controller of the command is over N4 billion.


According to the CAC, the illicit drugs were imported via the following vessels, SpilKartika, Volana, Maliako, WadiBani Khalid, MSC Sweden VI, and MSC Katyayni NY427A.



Speaking on the sum of  N1,046,496,593,103.60 revenue generated by the command within the period under review, Comptroller Dera Nnadi said this is the first time in the history of the Command to  generate such revenue.


In his words,  “We are glad to announce that with the cooperation of our stakeholders and a few others who have been encouraged to comply through our enlightenment programs, the Command as at today the 7th of November 2024 has generated the sum of N1,046,496,593,103.60.


“The Command wishes to celebrate this milestone of collecting over One Trillion Naira as Customs duty being the first time this has been achieved in its history.


"I dedicate this achievement to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi 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.



In line with the theme for the International Customs Day, “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the Tincan Island Port Command has tagged 2024 as “The Year of the Stakeholders.” The Command’s weekly slogan, “Reform or Regret,” underscores the importance of aligning with the vision of a new Nigeria".


Continuing, he said, "While we celebrate our esteemed stakeholders who embraced our reforms and complied with Customs extant laws and guidelines, those who did not are regretting their loss and the pain of non compliance".


On the seized unregistered pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, Nnadi said “Consequently, we are handing over a total of 13 Containers of Unregistered pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC;



"Recall that on October 2, 2024, the Tin-Can 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 National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)These narcotics were discovered in three 40ft containers Nos: MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3), as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination".


While assuring on the mandate of safeguarding Nigeria from the menace of illicit drugs the command's heldman said, "the Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with local and foreign partner security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country. 


“Aware that yuletide is around the corner, I wish to reassure all our stakeholders that the Command will partner with those who are compliant to ensure there are no delays in their cargo delivery.


“Similarly, we are also using this opportunity to inform those who will dare our resolve that we are ready to enforce the requirements of our law”  Comptroller Nnadi assures.


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