Port Harcourt Customs Seizes Large Consignment of Tramadol worth over N510 Million.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) PH I Area Command in Port Harcourt has made a significant seizure of illicit drugs worth N550 million at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.
Comptroller Mustapha Hashim, the Customs Area Controller, disclosed this information during a press briefing, highlighting the command’s efforts in combating illicit activities. The seizure, which includes nine packages of Tafradol-200mg, a brand of Tramadol.
The Port Harcourt Area Command has been on a roll, making significant strides in preventing smuggling and other illicit activities. Their impressive revenue generation of N106.6 billion in the first six months of 2024 is a testament to their hard work, surpassing their targets by a substantial margin. This achievement can be attributed to the command’s strategic efforts to foster a conducive environment for trade, thorough physical examination of cargoes, and collaboration with other government agencies.
Comptroller Mustapha Hashim reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to facilitating trade while combating smuggling. This momentum positions them to surpass their N230.277 billion annual revenue target.
The Nigeria Customs Service plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and public health through anti-smuggling efforts. To report suspicious activities, contact the NCS.
“The consignment, originating from India and arriving via Lufthansa Airlines from Frankfurt, Germany, contained 54,289 tablets of Tramadol. The packages, falsely declared as medical equipment, were detected by customs officers based on intelligence,” Hashim stated.
“During the operation, a customs licence agent responsible for the shipment was arrested. Both the suspect and the illicit drugs were taken into custody for further investigation”, he explained.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to combating drug trafficking through collaborative efforts with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other agencies. The seized drugs will be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and safekeeping.
The CAC’s stern warning to smugglers serves as a reminder that the NCS is well-equipped to tackle illicit activities head-on. By leveraging advanced technology and fostering inter-agency collaboration.
In addition, the Command announced its revenue performance from January to August 2024 to the tune of One Hundred and Forty-Two Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-One Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifteen Naira, Forty-Seven Kobo (N142.45 Billion).
According to Comptroller Hashim, this marks a one hundred and five percent 105% increase compared to the Sixty-Nine Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Million, Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira, Ninety Kobo (N69.24 Billion) collected in the same period in 2023.
He acknowledged that the achievement is despite a slight decline in August’s revenue, with Eleven Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N11.32 Billion) collected, attributing this to the Federal Government’s directive on zero-duty and VAT exemptions for essential food items such as wheat and corn.
“Without these exemptions, the Command would have recorded revenue of over Twenty-Six Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-Four Million Naira (N26.23 Billion) in August,” he explained.
Comptroller Hashim expressed confidence in surpassing the Command’s yearly revenue target, noting the Command’s ongoing efforts to optimise revenue streams and explore new opportunities.
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