Customs hands over seized illicit drugs to NDLEA in Rivers
..Rakes in over N142bn revenue in eight months
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Area 1,Port Harcourt Wednesday handed over illicit drugs seized at the Port Harcourt International Airport to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Port Harcourt,the Rivers State capital.
Addressing journalists and other stakeholders during the handover ceremony, the Comptroller of the Command, Mustapha Hashim said the breakthrough was made possible through collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies,using effective intelligence.
According to him,the seizures, comprising nine packages of tafradol 200mg tablets, smuggled into the country in two batches.
He said the cargo was concealed and falsely declared as medical equipment.
The Comptroller said the consignment were found to contain 5,500 packs of10×10 satchets of tablets labelled as tafradol 200mg,with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Five Hundred and Fifty million Naira (N550,000000.
Hashim said a suspect and Customs Agent,named Patrick Agbo has been arrested in connection with the crime.
The Comptroller said,” to ensure proper handling of these items,I will formally transfer the seized packages to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA),Port Harcourt International Airport Command for safe keeping and further investigation, following relevant laws.
“This transfer signifies our collaborative efforts in tackling drug related issues and ensuring that proper procedures are followed in handling illegal substances,”he said.
He commended his committed and patriotic officers for their bravery and patriotism, urging them to sustain the tempo.
To the unpatriotic and economic saboteurs, he warned them of severe consequences,in line with the stance of the Comptroller General of Customs(CGC),Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He pointed out that the Nigeria Customs Service is more equipped and determined to intercept all illegal activities.
In his response while receiving the seized illicit drugs,the NDLEA Commander,Port Harcourt International Airport Command,Negedu Nathaniel corroborated the position of the Customs Comptroller on synergy among security agencies.
“Having received the seized drugs,we are also waiting to receive the suspect arrested in connection with the crime,while assuring that further investigations will be carried out,”he said..
Briefing the Press after the handover ceremony,the Comptroller said his Command has generated a total of N142,451,734,415.47Bn revenue between January and August,2024.
An increase of N73,211,474,823, representing 105 percent increase from previous year,2023.
The Comptroller said the feat exceeded the monthly target of N15,351Bn in the first quarter of the year and N19,189Bn in the second quarter.
He expressed confidence that his Command will surpass the annual revenue target of 2024.
