Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigeria Customs Service of Ogun Area 1 Command, Idiroko has handed over of some illicit and dangerous drugs seized by its officers to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further necessary action.
The handover of these illicit drugs is part of effort in collaborating with the NDLEA in riding the country particularly Ogun state of illicit drugs and harmful substances.
“The significance of today’s event is that we have rid the Ogun communities of drugs that most probably influence the incessant attacks on Customs, other security agencies and innocent citizens of the state”
“May I use this opportunity to once again call on traditional rulers and community leaders to educate the youths against the dangers of smuggling, particularly the smuggling of harmful drugs and consumption of same” the Command said in a statement.
The items to be handed over today are: 3,165 wraps (Coconut and book size and 290 sacks (raw) of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Marijuana with duty paid value of two hundred thirteen million, six hundred and seventeen thousand, eight and sixty naira (#213,617,860), 41 packets Tramadol Capsules (225mg and 120mg) with duty paid value of twenty million, five hundred thousand naira (#20,500,000)
According to the Command, the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for the drugs is Two Hundred and Thirty Four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Naira (#234,477,860).
In another development, the Command has made appreciable progress again in its anti-smuggling activities by recording a total of 143 seizures of various prohibited items in the month of February, 2021 with a combined DPV of Seventy seven million, four hundred and ninety eight thousand, one hundred and forty four naira #77,498,144.00
The items includes: Imported foreign rice (50kg) – 5,931 bags, Premium motor spirit (petrol in 25 Litre Kegs – 562 Kegs, Frozen poultry products – 3,315 cartons, Vegetable oil (25 litres per keg) – 5kgs, Cannabis Sativa – 34 pkgs, Nigerian used vehicles (means of conveyance) – 19 units, Motor cycle (means of conveyance) – 1 unit, Sugar (50kg per bags) – 2 bags
Furthermore, the Command stated that a total of three million, one hundred and thirty five thousand, eight hundred and twenty five naira #3,135,825.00 was realized as fees from the sale of seized petroleum product and auctioning of some scrap metals. There are no duties collected on imports of goods as the land borders in Ogun state still remain closed.
“Despite series of attacks by dare devil smugglers/hoodlums during its course of duty, the Command will not be distracted from executing her mandates. To this end, anyone caught disrupting our officers in the line of duty or perpetuating nefarious activities of smuggling shall be made to face the wrath of law.” the statement said.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller PC Kolo expressed his unalloyed gratitude to other security agencies, Community Leaders, and Youth leaders who are showing concern and are collaborating with the Service in the fight against smuggling. We also thank and appreciate the press for being objective in reporting the challenges our officers are facing while discharging their statutory duty.