Tin Can Customs operatives reject N50m bribe on tramadol importation

…. arrest two suspects

Operatives of the Tin Can Island port command of the Nigeria Customs Service have rejected a bribe of $54,330 (N50million) offered them by an importer of two containers laden with prohibited tramadol and other unregistered pharmaceuticals imported into the country from India.

The importer, Boniface Ike had offered the bribe for the release of the containers upon interception by officers of the command.

Controller of the command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday said the drugs have a Duty Paid Value ( DPV) of N550.3million.

He said the bill of lading stated that the items in the containers were 1,016 packages containing electrical goods, ceiling fan ,36 jewel (Cooper) and chilly cutters (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination, it was found to contain five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol), 84 cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule, 876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine and other illicit drugs.

He said, “The Command received a timely intelligence from the Command Customs Intelligence Unit on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs (unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products) concealed in two (2) by 40ft containers with Bill of lading Nos 227578945 and 227898171. On arrival of the vessel in Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT), the containers (MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1) were transferred immediately to the Enforcement Station for 100% physical examination and further investigation.

“The physical examination was conducted on both containers by Enforcement officers, Customs Intelligence operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hours and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 13:00hours, respectively. The following were discovered:

“(a) Container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were 1,016 packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutters (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain:

“Five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.

“ii 84 cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules.

“876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.

“50 cartons of Manual Grater Machine-70 pieces per carton as means of concealment and one carton of ceiling fan as a means of concealment.

“b) Container No MRKU 553432/1; the details on Bill of Landing with number 227898171 stated the items laden were 1,021 packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutter (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination the container was found to contain:

“1. 10 cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets.

“ii. 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules.

“iii. 754 cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 Bottles.

“iv. 50 cartons of Manual Grater Machine – 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment and one carton of Compo Ceiling Fan as means of concealment.”

Oloyede explained that the unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted are regulated products by NAFDAC and don’t have the required permits and certificates for importation to ascertain the safety of the products to Nigerians, hence they were concealed.

He said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the drug importation and are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit of the command.

Speaking, he said, “One of the suspects in custody, Mr. Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner (importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement DC GI Aliyu and Team Manager CIU AC H Abubakar. I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50 million equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate N920. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as exhibit,” he said.

Oloyede stressed that the Service will not be a part of nefarious acts that will jeopardize the safety and lives of Nigerians, warning that any fraudulent importer or agent who tries to perpetrate such acts will be prosecuted accordingly.

He said the suspects, containers and the exhibit will be handed over to the relevant agencies that are in charge of regulation of such importation as soon as the Service directs or it may decide to prosecute them according to the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).

Meanwhile, Comptroller Oloyede said the command also intercepted a container of frozen products falsely declared as tangerines.

“The goods were falsely declared as they are Import Prohibition (Trade), the container has been seized for the contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).

“The persistent fraudulent nature of importers and agents drives us to be more innovative in putting methods and measures to combat smuggling activities, ensure no leakage of revenue to the Government and safety of Nigerians.

“The Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and unregulated dangerous drugs and substances,” he said.