Customs intercept N10bn worth of arms, expired drugs
The Nigeria Customs Service on Monday said it intercepted 16 containers carrying contrabands, including arms and expired pharmaceuticals, among others. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this while showcasing the seized containers to journalists in Apapa.
He explained that the importation of the containers violates laws and threatens the peace and security of the country. “Today, it gives me pleasure to announce the seizure of 16 containers of goods whose importation violates our laws and threatens our collective peace and security. The duty paid value of all these seizures is more than N10bn,” Adeniyi said.
Giving details of the seizures, Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Adeniyi added that initially, the container was adjudged clean, but a secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado loud, that is, Canadian drugs.
Each of the cans weighs 500 grams, and the total seizure involved is 101 kilograms. However, the intel available to us suggests that it is not only about drugs inside the container.
Acting on this advice, the CAC was directed to deploy scanners and subject these containers to scanning.
“And when this was done, arms and ammunition were discovered inside the container. Two pump-action rifles and 25 cartridges of ammunition were discovered. Also discovered was one Smith & Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, one blank, and several accessories,” he added
He mentioned that other seizures include seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medications, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.
