The Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Onne, Port Harcourt has made a seizure of 9×40 inch containers carrying 8,245 cartons of fake pharmaceuticals consisting of 250mg of Tramadol and Tramaking and other anti-malaria and analgesic drugs falsely declared as pressure reducing and PVC valves, with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizure amounting to N395,125,912.00.
The command has also said that they were particularly delighted by this seizure because they recognised the harmful effect the drugs have on the youth and the current national challenge of the substance abuse.
Area II Comptroller of NCS, Onne, Abubakar Bashir who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on the activities of the area command on Thursday explained that the command was very resolute in its determination to bring to an end the nefarious act of the illicit trade in fake pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods.
He said the command had also seized 8×20 foot containers of rice with a Duty Paid Value of N64,878,141 and carrying 4,120 bags of rice from Thailand, adding that these containers were falsely declared as sewing machines with the intent of evading the law.
According to him, the Federal Government has placed heavy priority on agriculture with a view to making the country self sufficient in food production and that the command had been faithful in aligning towards the same policy.
“The total duty paid value of consignments seized so far in the first quarter of 2018 amounts to N460,004,053.48.
“These consignments have been duly stored and the command in line with its mandate has already liaised with NAFDAC for further action.
“We have consistently maintained our policy of zero tolerance for any activities that would jeopardise the well being of Nigerians and have remained steadfast in our commitments to achieve the goal of the Nigeria Customs Service in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling.
“The cordial relationship with other agencies of government like NAFDAC, SON, NIMASA and others have led to the sharing of vital information that has proven to be useful at very crucial moments.
The Customs area boss, however, harped on the fact that NCS Service cuts across all facets of life in the sense that every seizure made was targeted at protecting something.
“When we seize items like elephants tusk, we are actually engaged in protecting wildlife and natural habitat. When we seize rice and other banned food items, we are actually engaged in enhancing the capacity of local entrepreneurs to employ Nigerians, improve local food production and achieve self sufficiency in agriculture growth.
“When we seize arms and ammunition, we are enhancing national security and others,” he said.

Corlins Walter