Customs seizes arms, ammunition, other contraband worth N13.9bn at Onne port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted nine containers laden with arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, and second-hand clothing valued at N13.9 billion at Onne Port, Rivers State.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at a press briefing at the Port Harcourt Area 11 command Onne, stating that one of the containers, which originated from Turkey, was subjected to thorough physical examination, revealing 844 units of rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

He said, “We had followed its sail across the continents, as we benefitted immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.

“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a private bonded terminal.

“On Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents: Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles and one Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition.

Giving a breakdown of the arms, Adeniyi said 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM) were found.

He said the rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags adding that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

He said the items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation.

“The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law, ” he said.

In addition, Adeniyi said eight containers containing cough syrup with codeine, tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, and used clothes, were intercepted.

“In another development, our officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with:
1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg) Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (₦9,600,000,000.00.

“Two containers laden with: 720 bales of used clothes With Duty-paid value: ₦144,000,000.00

” The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00), ” he said.

The Customs boss said licenses and permits of warehouses and terminals involved the illicit importation have been suspended, and complicit Customs officers will be sanctioned.

The Comptroller General commended the professional commitment of the Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Babandede, officers of the command as well as local and international partners, for their role in the successful operation.