Customs intercepts, cartons of tramadol, 4,120 bags of rice

Personnel of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, have impounded 4,120 bags of rice and nine containers loaded with pharmaceuticals.

The Rivers State command of the Nigerian Customs disclosed that within the first quarters of 2018, the NCS made N11.4 billion out of 117.8 billions target set for it by the Federal Government.

They noted that the focus of the command was to surpass the set target.

The Customs Area Controller Port Harcourt Area II, Comptroller Abubakar Bashir, while speaking with newsmen at the command’s office at Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state, said the command had maintained inter-agency collaboration with other relevant agencies.

Bashir noted that the pharmaceuticals were imported into the country from China and India, adding that they were declared to be pressure reducing drugs whereas the contents were Tramadol and other regulated medicines.

“From January to date the command has seized 940′ containers carrying 8,245 cartons of fake pharmaceuticals consisting of 250mg of Tramadol and Tramaking and other anti malarial and analgestic drugs falsely declared as pressure reducing and PVC values.

“The total duty paid of the seizure of pharmaceuticals amounts to N395,125,912.00. We are particularly delighted by this seizure because we recorganise the harmful effect they have especially on our youths and the current national challenge of substance abuse.

“This command has been faithful in aligning towards the same policy. From January to date, 8*20 foot containers of rice with a duty paid value of N64,878,141.48, and carrying 4120 bags of rice from Thailand were seized.

“This containers were falsely decleared as sewing machines with the intent of evading the law. I am glad to report that they have been seized and duly condemned in a court of law,” Bashir said.