Customs Intercepts Illicit Drugs Worth N550m in Port Harcourt
Mustafa Hashim
*Records N142bn revenue
By Chinonso Apeh
The Port Harcourt Area 1 Command, Rivers State, of the Nigeria Customs Service, has seized illicit drugs worth N550m.
The Command also recorded the sum of N142bn revenue between January and August 2024.
The drugs were tramadol intercepted at Omagwa International Airport in Rivers state.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mustafa Hashim told newsmen that the illicit drugs were seized based on intelligence report gathered over the months.
Hashim who spoke during the handing over of the items to the to the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) gave an indication that the drugs may have come from India through Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt in Germany
The Controller told newsmen: “Precisely on Monday 2 September 2024, at about 1000hrs, intelligence reports that had been gathered over the past few months in the Command, led to the seizure of Nine Packages of TAFRADOL-200mg tablets, at the NAHCO SHED of the Port Harcourt International Airport. The seized cargoes were smuggled into the country in two batches, six (6) packages in the first instance and Three (3) packages thereafter. The controlled substances were closely monitored on arrival by our eagle-eyed intelligence units that waited patiently for the consignee (the Customs Agent) to come forward for capturing and assessment of his consignment. While still in the NAHCO SHED, a joint examination was conducted, and it was discovered that the cargoes which had an Airway bill No. 020-21171010 and falsely declared as Medical equipment were found to contain 271 packs of 200 per pack and a fraction of 89 pieces making a total of 54,289 pieces of Tegretol-200MG, a brand of Tramadol Tablets, with a Duty Paid Value of Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦550,000,000).”
The Command arrested a customs agent, Mr Patrick Agbo in connection with the drugs.
He further disclosed that the goods would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Port Harcourt International Airport Command for safekeeping.
He said, “We are equipped with advanced technology and highly trained personnel to secure our borders.
“We are also working closely with all relevant Government agencies in our ports, including the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, and NAFDAC among others and we are resolute in our mission to protect our nation from the dangers posed by illicit drugs and contraband items.”
Meanwhile, the Command also generated the sum of N142bn between January and August, a figure which represents 105 percent in the Command’s revenue generation compared to what was realized during the same period last year.
“it will interest you to note that the revenue collected in the months under review exceeded the mandated monthly target, which was averaged at ₦15.351 Billion in the first quarter of the year and ₦19.189 Billion in the second quarter of 2024 respectively.”
“The annual revenue of the Command in the first quarter of 2024 was estimated at ₦184.221 Billion and was later reviewed upwards to ₦230,277,162,651.85 due to the upward trajectory of the command’s revenue performances.”
“The notable rise in revenue can be attributed to various factors including enhanced operational efficiency, successful implementation of new revenue-generating initiatives, creating an enabling environment for trade, and increased market demand. It is also a testament to our team’s dedication and the successful execution of our strategic goals. Furthermore, it is imperative to reveal that the increments varied from the different tax heads which included Import duties, fees, excise duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), Federation Account levies, and, Non-Federation account levies which are all derived from various bulk cargoes such as Wheat, Bitumen, Salt, Frozen fish, among others”.
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