The Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generates over N142 billion and intercepts illicit drugs smuggled via the command by syndicate
Jude Nzennaya (Port Harcourt)
Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Port Harcourt, Rivers State in its efforts to combat drug smuggling intercepted illicit drugs worth N550 Million naira at Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa.
The seized contraband, identified as Tramadol, is a major victory for the Command, which has also reported a dramatic increase in revenue generate
Comptroller YM Hashim stated this during a press briefing at the Command He said “An intelligence report gathered over the past months led to the seizure of these harmful drugs.”
He further said, “Precisely on Monday, 2 September 2024, at about 1000hrs, intelligence reports 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 Comptroller had said that
“The seized cargoes were smuggled into the country in two batches—six packages in the first instance and three packages thereafter.
The controlled substances were closely monitored on arrival by our eagle-eyed intelligence units that waited patiently for the consignee to come forward for capturing and assessment of his consignment”,
He noted the scale of the interception, revealing, “The cargoes, which had an airway bill No. 020-21171010 and were falsely declared as medical equipment, were found to contain 271 packs of 200 per pack and a fraction of 89 pieces, making a total of 54,289 pieces of Tegretol-200MG, a brand of Tramadol tablets, with a Duty Paid Value of Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N550,000,000).”
The Comptroller also detailed the origins of the drugs, as he said “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.”
His team took swift action as “One suspect, by the name of 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 preliminary investigations were carried out.”
Comptroller Hasim emphasized on the importance of proper handling of the seized drugs, stating,
“To ensure the proper handling of those items, we will formally transfer the seized packages to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Port Harcourt International Airport Command for safekeeping and further investigation following relevant laws.
Praised the efforts of his officers, he said, “I commend the leadership qualities of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and his team for their support and encouragement to the Command. I also praise my officers and men for their courage, dedication, and commitment to duty.”
Comptroller Hashim issued a stern warning to those involved in the illegal activities: “To those contemplating such illegal activities, I say, cease immediately. Any attempt to bypass our rigorous security measures will not only be futile but will result in severe legal consequences. We are fully aware of the methods and strategies used by smugglers, and our commitment to detecting and intercepting these illegal activities is stronger than ever.” He added,
“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.”
The issues of revenue generation, Comptroller Hashim expressed his satisfaction with the Command’s performance: “I am delighted to announce to you that the Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has generated a total sum of N142,451,734,415.47 as revenue collected from January to August 2024.” He emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting, “The 2024 revenue indicates a remarkable difference of N73,211,474,823, which represents a 105% increase compared to the same period in 2023.”
Hashim provided additional context as he stated, “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.” He further explained, “The annual revenue of the Command in the first quarter of 2024 was estimated at ₦184.221 billion and was later reviewed upwards to ₦230,277,162,651.85 due to the upward trajectory of the Command’s revenue performances.”
Explaining the factors behind the revenue growth, he said, “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.” However, the Coprvacknowledged a slight decline in revenue in August, attributing it to government policy: “The month of August experienced a slight decline in its revenue with a collection of ₦11,323,319,175 due to the Federal Government’s directive for the implementation of a zero percent duty rate and value-added tax exemption on some basic food items, such as wheat and corn, which are the major revenue earners for the Command.”
Despite this, Hashim remained optimistic about the future, stating, “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 the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR in line with World Customs Organization (WCO) international best practices.” He concluded with confidence, saying, “The Command is in high spirits to surpass the expected annual revenue target. Our focus for the remainder of the year will be on optimizing existing revenue streams and exploring new opportunities to maximize growth. I am confident that our Command will surpass its revenue targets by the end of 2024.”
The event concluded with the formal handover of the seized illicit drugs to Commander Nathaniel Agada Negedo, the Commander of Narcotics at Port Harcourt International Airport.
Hashim emphasized, “This handover signifies the Command’s collaborative efforts in tackling drug-related issues and ensuring that proper procedures are followed in handling illegal substances, underscoring our shared commitment to battling drug trafficking and safeguarding public health.
