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Onne Customs Seize Illicit Drugs, Donkey Skins worth N46bn
The Onne Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, in a joint operation has intercepted illicit drugs and animal skin worth over N46bn from smugglers.
Comptroller Mohammed Babandede of the Customs Area 2 Command in Onne disclosed this at a press briefing on recent activities and achievements in combating illicit trade.
This briefing follows a previous visit by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on September 4, 2024, where he showcased various significant seizures, including twelve containers filled with contraband goods.
Babandede explained that in a collaborative effort with agencies such as the NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine, and NAFDAC, the command seized twenty 40-foot and one 20-foot containers filled with harmful drugs and animal products.
The total Duty Paid Value of the seizures amounts to over ₦46 billion, which includes a variety of illegal substances such as cough syrups, counterfeit medications, and even donkey skin, totaling ₦441 million.
The growing security concerns surrounding these illicit goods prompted the declaration of a three-month state of emergency, enabling the command to rigorously inspect all suspected containers, irrespective of their ownership.
“It is our unwavering commitment to combat illicit medicine and ensure public safety,” Comptroller Babandede affirmed.
“The state of emergency has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities.”
Since the beginning of the year, Babandede noted that the command has conducted a total of 63 seizures that comprise an impressive array of illegal items, including 844 rifles, 112,500 rounds of live ammunition, and over 56 million tablets of controlled substances. The cumulative Duty Paid Value of these operations stands at around ₦130 billion.
The Customs Area 2 Command is also focused on trade facilitation and revenue generation, utilizing the World Customs Organization’s Time Release Study (TRS) tool to optimize efficiency.
To date, the command has processed 2,436,408 metric tonnes of goods, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of approximately $826.6 million. Revenue generation for this year has peaked at ₦550 billion, representing an impressive 89% of the annual target of ₦618 billion.
Comptroller Babandede expressed gratitude to the media for their vital role in raising public awareness and promoting compliance with trade laws.
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