The command also seized a container of unregistered
pharmaceutical (codeine syrup and col caps) with duty paid value of
N78,797,975.00
According to the statement issued by Abubakar Usman, Deputy
Superintendent of Customs Public Relations Officer, for Customs Area
Controller, Apapa Command saying a breakdown of the wood seizures’ value is
worth N70,559,775.00
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller, Yusuf
Malanta attributed the success of the command to inter-agency synergies between
customs and sister organisations like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA).
He said the collaboration with NDLEA has helped in gathering
intelligence, leading to seizures of prohibited items as the command acts
swiftly on reliable information without waiting for importers to come forward
before effecting examination on suspected cargoes.
He said efforts at making Apapa Port a no-go area for
unlawful trade will always be sustained while ensuring that maximum revenue is
collected into government coffers from all legitimate transactions.
While arrests are yet to be made, the CAC said
investigations are ongoing by the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA to detect,
arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the illegal importation
Comptroller Yusuf reiterated that the command is committed
to surpassing its revenue collection of N870 billion in 2021.
He said a total of N95.3 billion was collected in January
2022, which surpassed the N54.3 billion collected in January 2021 by N39
billion
The Comptroller noted that these are seizures of timber and
rock balsam, under HS Code 44011000 to 44039000, and they contravene Sections
63 and 64 of the Export Trade (improper exportation of items).
He added that the command is going to make sure that recalcitrant
traders are brought to book and exportation of prohibited items are not allowed
to pass through Apapa port.
The DPV of the wood for all nine containers stood at ₦70,
559,775.00
Another container number TCKU 6800526 which was laden with
702 cartons of codeine syrup (each carton contains 200 pieces) and 347 cartons
of Col caps (each carton contains 2,000 pieces) was also seized by the command,
with a street value of ₦78,787,975.00
Comptroller Yusuf further commended officers/men of the
command for not relenting in discharging their official responsibilities.
Speaking further on the seizures, the NDLEA Commander in Apapa Port, Samuel
Gadzama promised stronger synergy with customs to prevent such importation and
added that upon due diligence through a court process, the seized drugs would
be publicly destroyed in line with extant laws.
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