MMAC Customs: Compt Otunla Hits Smugglers of Illicit Drugs, Intercepts N44.9bn Worth of Tramadol, Assorted Cannabis in 7 Months
By Francis Ugwoke
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a big blow to recalcitrant smugglers
with the interception of N44.9bn worth of illicit drugs.
The drugs include tramadol, assorted Cannabis which were seized in the past seven months by the Command.
The Controller of the Command, Compt GA Otunla, disclosed that this was as a result of intelligence network he introduced to tackle issues of hard drug smuggling in the Airport.
Speaking to the executive members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) who paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday, he said that the Command has now been able to tame the smugglers in the past seven months.
According to him, “When I came, there was a little loggerhead with the regulatory agency, but good reason prevailed.
We have been intercepting lots of such dangerous drugs, as we arrest them, we hand over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and we have stemmed the tide”
The Controller also stated that on assuming office, he had moved to check areas of revenue leakages by focusing on unutilized airway bills.
Otunla revealed that this was one area the Command can suffer revenue loss as importers do everything to cut corners by wrapping together some of the imports as one in a bid to evade payment of correct duties.
He affirmed that this has paid off, adding that the nefarious activities in the areas of unutilized bills have been reduced to the barest minimum.
“In view of the several techniques employed for smuggling, we also introduced several layers of checks. Our officers have kept eagle eyes on whatever happens to ensure that the issues of unutilized bills are identified”, he said.
The Controllers expressed dismay that some of the smugglers have been recalcitrant in their activities, adding that they connive with some terminal operators to take their goods without declarations.
He explained that this was why the Command has decided to maintain a close watch on them, stating, “we are several steps above them in their plots”.
He gave an indication that once the entire system is automated, it will go a long way in reducing smuggling.
On revenue generation, Otunla disclosed that the Command has made some progress, saying that it recorded more than N16 billion in August.
He also said that the Command collected its highest daily revenue of N3.5 billion last week, representing 307 percent rise as against N1.6 bn normal daily revenue.
He stated that since assuming office, all he has tried to do is to ensure the promotion of trade facilitation.
Part of the trade facilitation efforts, according to him, is to ensure that goods are cleared as fast as possible without importers or clearing agents complaining of delays.
“Airport is a peculiar command because most of the spare parts for industries come through here and we render urgent services. We ensure the processes for release of goods are not delayed”, he said.
He commended the Comptroller General of the Service, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his national service and the support to the Command to be able to carry out its assignment.
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a big blow to recalcitrant smugglers
with the interception of N44.9bn worth of illicit drugs.
The drugs include tramadol, assorted Cannabis which were seized in the past seven months by the Command.
The Controller of the Command, Compt GA Otunla, disclosed that this was as a result of intelligence network he introduced to tackle issues of hard drug smuggling in the Airport.
Speaking to the executive members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) who paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday, he said that the Command has now been able to tame the smugglers in the past seven months.
According to him, “When I came, there was a little loggerhead with the regulatory agency, but good reason prevailed.
We have been intercepting lots of such dangerous drugs, as we arrest them, we hand over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and we have stemmed the tide”
The Controller also stated that on assuming office, he had moved to check areas of revenue leakages by focusing on unutilized airway bills.
Otunla revealed that this was one area the Command can suffer revenue loss as importers do everything to cut corners by wrapping together some of the imports as one in a bid to evade payment of correct duties.
He affirmed that this has paid off, adding that the nefarious activities in the areas of unutilized bills have been reduced to the barest minimum.
“In view of the several techniques employed for smuggling, we also introduced several layers of checks. Our officers have kept eagle eyes on whatever happens to ensure that the issues of unutilized bills are identified”, he said.
The Controllers expressed dismay that some of the smugglers have been recalcitrant in their activities, adding that they connive with some terminal operators to take their goods without declarations.
He explained that this was why the Command has decided to maintain a close watch on them, stating, “we are several steps above them in their plots”.
He gave an indication that once the entire system is automated, it will go a long way in reducing smuggling.
On revenue generation, Otunla disclosed that the Command has made some progress, saying that it recorded more than N16 billion in August.
He also said that the Command collected its highest daily revenue of N3.5 billion last week, representing 307 percent rise as against N1.6 bn normal daily revenue.
He stated that since assuming office, all he has tried to do is to ensure the promotion of trade facilitation.
Part of the trade facilitation efforts, according to him, is to ensure that goods are cleared as fast as possible without importers or clearing agents complaining of delays.
“Airport is a peculiar command because most of the spare parts for industries come through here and we render urgent services. We ensure the processes for release of goods are not delayed”, he said.
He commended the Comptroller General of the Service, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his national service and the support to the Command to be able to carry out its assignment.
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