Tin Can Customs Intercepts Drugs Worth N550m, Rejects $54,300 Bribe

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Monday, said it has arrested a Nigerian importer, Boniface Ike, for offering $54,330 (N50m) bribe to officers of the Tin-Can Island Command of the Service over the seizure of two 40ft containers laden with illicit and dangerous drugs imported into the country from India.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Port, Compt. Adekunle Oloyede, stated that the unregistered pharmaceutical products, which were intercepted at the port, were worth N550million.

According to him, the products didn’t have the required permits and certificates for importation, hence the illicit dangerous drugs were masqueraded as electrical appliances by the importer.

He added that the money brought by the suspect would be tendered as an exhibit.

Giving details of the seizure he said, “The command received timely intelligence from the command’s intelligence unit on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous, unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products concealed in two 40ft containers with bill of lading numbers 227578945 and 227898171.”

Oloyede said on the arrival of the vessel at Tincan Island Container Terminal, the containers with numbers, MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1 were transferred immediately to the enforcement station for 100 per cent physical examination and further investigation.

He said one of the containers with the number, MRSU 592397/0 and bill of lading number, 227578945, was said to contain, 1016 packages of electrical goods but the examination showed something different.

“Examination showed the container contained, five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets, 84 cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules, 876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing codeine each bottle 100ml each carton contains 200 bottles. 50 cartons of manual grater machine-70 pieces per carton as a means of concealment. One carton of ceiling fan as a means of concealment.”

He said the second container with the number, MRKU 553432/1, and bill of lading number, 227898171, was said to contain 1, 021 packages of electrical materials.

“But 100 per cent physical inspection showed that that the container contained, 10 cartons of Super Royal 225 Tramadol, each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets. 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg each carton contains 50 packets, and each packet contains 10 capsules. 754 cartons of barcadin with codeine 100 ml. Each carton contains 200 Bottles. 50 cartons of manual grater machine, 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment. One carton of Compo Ceiling Fan as means of concealment.”

“The physical examination was conducted on both containers by enforcement Officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hours and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 13:00hours, respectively. The following were discovered: Container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were 1,016 packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutters (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain 5 cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.”

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“The second containers, with no MRKU 553432/1; the details on Bill of Landing with number 227898171 stated the items laden were 1,021 packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutter (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination the container was found to contain 10 cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets.

“Two suspects have been arrested and are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit in accordance with the investigation process of the Service. One of the suspects in custody, Mr. Boniface Ike, accepted that he is the owner (Importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement, DC GI Aliyu and Team Manager, CIU AC H Abubakar.

“I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50 million equivalent to $54,330 (at the current exchange rate N920). The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as exhibit.”