The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 1, Port Harcourt has intercepted illicit drugs (Tramadol) worth ₦550 million at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.
This was as the NCS, Area 1 Command has recorded ₦142 billion revenue generation from January to August, 2024, representing an impressive run of 105 per cent increase.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller YM Hashim, made the disclosures on Wednesday while briefing newsmen during the handing over of the illicit drugs to the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials.
Comptroller Hashim said an intelligence report gathered over the past months led to the seizure of the harmful drugs.
“Precisely on Monday, 2 September, 2024, at about 1000hrs, intelligence reports that had been gathered over the past few months in the Command, led to the seizure of nine packages of TAFRADOL-200mg tablets, at the NAHCO Shed of the Port Harcourt International Airport.
“The seized cargoes were smuggled into the country in two batches, six (6) packages in the first instance and three (3) packages thereafter.
“The controlled substances were closely monitored on arrival by our eagle-eyed intelligence units that waited patiently for the consignee (the Customs Agent) to come forward for capturing and assessment of his consignment.
“While still in the NAHCO Shed, a joint examination was conducted, and it was discovered that the cargoes which had an airway bill No. 020-21171010 and falsely declared as medical equipment were found to contain 271 packs of 200 per pack and a fraction of 89 pieces.
“All of these made a total of 54,289 pieces of Tegretol-200MG, a brand of Tramadol Tablets, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦550,000,000 million.”
Speaking further, Comptroller Hashim added: “The said illicit drugs, which are suspected to have originated from India, were reported to have arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport through a Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt in Germany.”
The Customs boss stated that one suspect, Mr. Patrick Agbo (the Customs agent), was promptly arrested by the Customs Police Unit and transported alongside the shipment to the Customs cell in the Command’s headquarters where, according to him, preliminary investigations were carried out.
Hashim said, to ensure the proper handling of those items, he would formally transfer the seized packages to the NDLEA, Port Harcourt International Airport Command for safekeeping and further investigation, in accordance with relevant laws.
The Customs Comptroller Hashim commended the leadership qualities of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his team for their support and encouragement to the Command.
He also praised his officers and men for their courage dedication and commitment to duty. He insisted that the transfer signified the Command’s collaborative efforts in tackling drug-related issues.
Hashim added that it was also in ensuring that proper procedures were followed in handling illegal substances. He emphasised that such underscored the Command’s shared commitment to battling drug trafficking and safeguarding public.
Comptroller Hashim warned those he described as unpatriotic and economic saboteurs who might be contemplating such illegal activities, to desist henceforth from their nefarious activities
He insisted that “any attempt to bypass our rigorous security measures will not only be futile but will result to severe legal consequences.”
Continuing, he said: “We are fully aware of the methods and strategies used by smugglers. Our commitment to detecting and intercepting these illegal activities are stronger than ever.
“We are equipped with advanced technology and highly trained personnel to secure our borders.
“We are also working closely with all relevant government agencies in our ports, including the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services and NAFDAC, among others.
“We are resolute in our mission to protect our nation from the dangers posed by illicit drugs and contraband items.”
Speaking on the revenue generation, Comptroller Hashim said: “I am delighted to announce to you that the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has generated a total sum of ₦142,451,734,415.47 billion as revenue collected from January to August 2024.”
He went further to state that the achievement signified a substantial increase in comparison with the same period in 2023 which he said amounted to ₦69,240,259,592.90.
He noted also that the 2024 revenue indicated a remarkable difference of ₦73,211,474,823, representing 105 per cent increase.
“It will interest you to note that the revenue collected in the months under review exceeded the mandated monthly target, which was averaged at ₦15.351 billion in the first quarter of the year and ₦19.189 billion in the second quarter of 2024 respectively.
“The annual revenue of the Command in the first quarter of 2024 was estimated at ₦184.221 billion. It was later reviewed upwards to ₦230,277,162,651.85 billion, due to the upward trajectory of the Command’s revenue performances.
“The notable rise in revenue can be attributed to various factors, including enhanced operational efficiency, successful implementation of new revenue-generating initiatives, creating an enabling environment for trade and increased market demand.
“It is also a testament to our team’s dedication and the successful execution of our strategic goals.
“Furthermore, it is imperative to reveal that the increments varied from the different tax heads which included import duties, fees, excise duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), Federation Account levies and Non-Federation account levies which are all derived from various bulk cargoes such as wheat, bitumen, salt, frozen fish, among others.
“The month of August, however, experienced a slight decline in its revenue with a collection of ₦11,323,319,175 billion due to the Federal Government’s directive for the implementation of Zero Per cent duty rate and VAT exemption on some basic food items, such as wheat and corn which are the major revenue earners for the Command.
“The value of waivers for August was estimated at ₦14,911, 338, 63 billion, which would have resulted in the highest revenue figure of over ₦26.234 billion into the Federation Account,” he added.
Going forward, Hashim said: “We are poised to make the environment more conducive to traders as we are in full compliance with the Federal Government policy of Ease of Doing Business, as well as the Time Release Study (TRS) adopted by CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in line with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) International Best Practice.”
He noted that the NCS, Area 1 Command, was in high spirits to surpass the expected annual revenue target.
He said the focus of the Command for the rest of the year would be on optimising existing revenue streams and exploring new opportunities to maximise growth and anticipating continued progress.
Comptroller Hashim vowed that he was confident that his Command will surpass its revenue targets by the end of 2024.
