The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted two vehicles stolen from Canada.
Babatunde Olomu, customs area controller (CAC) of the command, who addressed journalists in Lagos on Thursday, said operatives also intercepted five containers of cosmetics, used clothing, and codeine syrup worth N3.25 billion.
Olomu said one of the containers contained a 2024 model Lexus RX 450 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350, falsely declared as food items.
“As a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered six containers laden with prohibited items, mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals,” Olomu said.
Advertisement
“Other items seized in the containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country.
“These above-mentioned seizures are worth a total DPV of N3.247 billion.”
He added that another container had 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in the toilet seat.
Advertisement
“Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) was found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres,” he said.
“Also, container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycin hydrochloride, cyproheptadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration numbers, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
“While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing, which contravened the import prohibition law.”
“Let me use this briefing to warn that Apapa port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity, and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealment and effect seizures or arrests where necessary.”
Advertisement
Olomu said the containers were intercepted with the collaboration of local and international networks as well as support from the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He reiterated customs’ resolve to ensure illegal importation is curtailed, adding that the command had collected over N1 trillion from importers for the government coffers before the end of May.
