The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Command led by Comptroller Malanta Yusuf has handed over One Hundred and Fifty Cartons of Tramadol tablets (120mg) worth over 3.7 Billion Naira to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Malanta Yusuf reiterated the resolve of the Command in fighting illicit trade and warned that the Apapa Port will always be an abominable place for Law Offenders.
“The Port is sealed for illegal trade, not only for hard drugs. The Eagle Eye of the Nigeria Customs Service and other Government Agencies in the Port are well at alert, it’s a complete synergy, intelligence gathering and collaboration to make sure that the right thing is done by protecting the lives of the Citizens, if this type of menace is allowed to get into the Society the havoc it will cause cannot be estimated” He reiterated.
Receiving the 4,500,000 Capsules of tramadol, Ameh Inalegwu, Narcotic Commander, Apapa Port, thanked the Nigeria Customs Service and further expressed commendation on behalf of the NDLEA Boss, Buba Marwa for the continuous synergy the Agency has enjoyed with the Service.
He also beaconed on the Society to join hands with the Government and make the Country safe and saner for all, “It’s a whole Society approach, because we are all involved and vulnerable, if your house is on fire, you do not wait for Fire Brigade, you first try to quench it Let us be seen doing our part” Inalegwu said.
According to him, the street value of the illicit drugs used to be Eight million per Carton but has increased due to the sustained fight against it, bringing the present value to Twenty Five Million Naira.
The street value of the One Hundred and Fifty Cartons of the Hard drugs, according to the NDLEA Commander is over 3.7 Billion Naira and were duly received at the ESS Libra Terminal, Ikorodu and Jaelith Bonded Terminal, Festac Lagos.
He recommended, rehabilitation, and reintegration for any repentant drug dealer adding that a drug dealer is a sick person and should seek treatment.
Similarly, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted another 1×20ft Container with no PCIU 0183241 laden with Tramadol tablets but was declared falsely as Static Converter and Switches.
Malanta Yusuf stated also, that another Container with no TCKU 7580597 transiting to Kano inland Terminal was seized with used clothing but was declared falsely as fitting installation materials.
Giving more details, he said, the Port of Origin of the Tramadol is Singapore but the Importers tried covering up their tracks by moving the Cargo to other Countries before arriving in Nigeria.
He noted that the Contents are 150 Cartons of 250mg Tramadol and were all laden inside the Container with each, containing 72 rolls and each roll, 10 packets with 10 satchels each.
“For the recalcitrant Importers who do not want to obey the laws, I will always emphasize that the Service is at alert at all times, if you do not want to repent, test our will” Malanta Yusuf warned.
