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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, on Thursday revealed that it has generated N526.9billion from January to August 2021, with N87.8 billion collected in August alone.
The Comptroller, Malanta Yusuf, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, stressed that the remarkable feat was the highest in the history of the command.
Malanta who was privileged to host the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, ACG Modupe Aremu on the occasion stressed that the feat was a result of the resilience of officers at the command and collaborative efforts of port stakeholders.
Speaking on anti-smuggling activities, he said “56 containers of various items ranging from tramadol, codeine syrup, used clothing, used tyres, tomato paste, unregistered pharmaceuticals, unprocessed wood and other sundry items were seized.”
“These items were seized between the months of January and August, and had a Duty Paid Value of over N28.3 billion.’
He added that notable among the seized items was a container no. UETU4008070 (1×40 feet) suspected to be laden with sophisticated factory fitted concealment of illicit drugs in marble polishing machinery.
Yusuf said that the container which arrived on a vessel CMA CGM LAPIS with bill of laden no. BRT0220100 consigned to Home Page Global Resources Ltd., of Oyinkola Close, Isolo, Lagos (TIN no. 14899445-0001), was said to be from Lebanon and declared as marble polishing machine.
“The high level concealment was detected with the help of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), shifter dogs and laser machine deployed to cut open various components of the machine.
“This resulted in the discovery of Captagon pills which was carefully hidden in different parts of the machine weighing 74.119kg,” he said.
He explained that Captagon pill was a controlled substance regarded as one of the most dangerous stimulants being used by insurgent and terrorist groups in the Middle East and other war-torn countries.
Yusuf said that the importation contravened Sections 46 and 47 of CEMA CAP C45 LFN, 2004 and Schedule 3, item 13 of the Common External Tariff (CET).
He added that the person connected with the importation was arrested and presently undergoing interrogation to unravel his collaborators.
“The drug and the suspect have been handed over to the NDLEA for safe custody, further analysis; ascertain the street value, interrogation and possible prosecution.
“Accordingly, the command has launched full-scale investigation with a view to fish out persons involved in this illicit importation,” he said.
