Speaking to reporters in Apapa on Monday, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi stated that the agency had seized 16 containers that contained weapons and expired medications, among other illegal items.
Adewale said this while showing reporters the weapons and illegal items that had been seized. The NCS chief claims that such imports are a violation of the country’s security and existing regulations.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that 16 containers of goods that violate our laws and endanger our collective peace and security have been seized,” he stated. All of these seizures had a duty paid value of over N10 billion.
According to Adeniyi, who provided specifics of the seizure, a combined team from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Customs inspected a 40-foot container with registration number NRSU6407089.
Adeniyi claims that although the container was first deemed “cleaned,” a further inspection showed that 202 cans of Colorado loud—that is, Canadian drugs—had been hidden within.
“The total seizure involved is 101 kilograms, and each of the cans weighs 500 grams,” he stated. But based on the information we have, it appears to be about more than just the pharmaceuticals in the container.
Following this recommendation, the CAC was instructed to set up scanners and scan these containers.
After then, weapons and ammo were found within the crate. Twenty-five rounds of ammunition and two pump-action rifles were found. A Smith & Wesson handgun containing 55 rounds of ammo, a blank, and many attachments was also found, he continued.
Three containers of expired food products, especially margarine, three containers of completely prohibited worn garments, and seven containers of expired pharmaceuticals and prohibited medications are among the other seizures, he said.
The CGC noted that the service also conducted an operation over the weekend, resulting in the seizure of a 40-foot container. Additionally, 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry goods were included. FBIU5507953, a 40-foot container, also included 1,290 frozen chicken packs. An shipment that violated intellectual property rights is the subject of another intriguing seizure, according to Adeniyi.
He restated that there were 305 toothpaste packs inside the container, hidden by a Jalabiya outfit and beads. He noted that this specific seizure also highlights the NCS’s collaboration with other government authorities in enforcing branch regulations.
“A Nigerian company’s brand was being violated in this case.
In addition to the brand infringement, these products are also susceptible to seizure because they were not registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. He said, “We also recovered two other containers of expired chest and lung medicines that did not have a NAFDAC registration number.
According to him, the agency also stopped two 40-foot codeine-carrying containers. Additionally, these two containers have been confiscated. Additionally, the data we had on these containers allowed us to connect their owners to those of the earlier ones we created, Adeniyi stated.
He insisted that the data the firm is receiving aids in identifying the connection between the importers of the earlier ones. Five people have been arrested in relation to the seizures, he said.
Five people have been arrested, according to Adeniyi. Three of the five have been charged and have made court appearances. Additionally, they are still on remand at Ikoyi Prisons until the substantive case hearing is held perhaps next month,” Adeniyi emphasized.
He pledged that the service will use the tool of customs-to-customs cooperation to identify the people responsible for these actions, collaborating with both domestic and foreign partners and customs administrations worldwide. “And make sure Nigeria doesn’t turn into a place where they dump their waste.”
