The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, has impounded 850 cartons of Tramadol, other illicit drugs and banned goods with Duty Paid Value of N379 in the last two months.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Zone, Comptroller Ahmed Azarema, said that the seizure we’re made between the months of March and June.
The seized contraband which include illicit drugs, bags of rice, used tyres, second hand clothings and vehicles of different makes, where confiscated along Benin Mobile Patrol and Owerri –Port Harcourt axis.
Azarema while displaying the impounded goods before journalists, disclosed that Customs operatives confiscated a Mack Truck with 582 cartons of Tramadol, and 258 cartons of Tygracildenafil with DPV of N21.462 million..
Also confiscated according to the Controller, is a MAN Diesel Truck “with 98 cartons of Ibamol Drug (50 packs per carton), 22 cartons of 200 mg Tramadol, 15 cartons of 225 mg Tramadol and 250 mg (50 packs) of Tramadol worth N11.862 million.
“A Mark Mercedes Benz with 327 Indian Hemp valued at N11.445 million
Other items confiscated within include Lexus ES 350, 2007 model, valued at N3,318 million, a Mercedes Benz G 500 Bullet Proof, 2001 model with DPV of N60,750 million, Toyota Hilux , 2016 model valued at N1,809 million and Toyota Prado 2015 model with DPV N23,402 million.
“A Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2014 Model worth N33,145 million, Mercedez Benz GLE 350 with DPV N25,199 million, Brand new Toyota Land Cruiser 2018 with DPV of N37,999 million and Mercedez Benz C350 worth N4,955 million.
“Toyota Highlander 2013 model worth N13.388 million, Toyota Highlander 2009 Model with DPV N4,957 million, Mercedes Benz Truck with 230 cartons of 22kg imported rice, six bales of used clothes with a DPV of N10,270 million and 30 cartons of Automatic Couple Head valued at N61, 692”.
Azarema revealed further that the seized drugs have been handed over to National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He urged Nigerians to desist from smuggling or importation of contraband goods and engage in legal businesses, pay duties on imported items and save the country from leakages and boost her economy.
The Comptroler observed with dismay that some Nigerians were still desperate in importing rice and other contrabands despite the implications on the nation’s economy.
According to him, “If you refuse to pay what you are supposed to pay as Duty to Customs, you are a smuggler”.
Receiving the drugs, the Edo state Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mrs. Esther Itua commended the customs for the seizure, saying that the illegal use of tramadol leads to certain ailments and eventual death of the user.
She said that the use of tramadol has remained a cause of concern to the nation and NAFDAC, adding that the strength of the confiscated drugs was far above the maximum dose always recommended.
“This tramadol is an overdose and is also not registered with NAFDAC. Taking it will cause irregular heartbeat, cramps and death among others,” she said.