The Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of Area 1 Command, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, Mr. YM Hashim, has commended the Narcotics Commander, men and officers of NDLEA, as well as men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the PortHarcourt International Airport and other critical stakeholders for their gallantry in the seizure of the illicit tablets at the airport.
The CAC while briefing journalists at the Command on the 18th of September, 2024 said: “I welcome you to this press briefing to update you on a significant operation conducted by our officers at the PortHarcourt International Airport Omagwa.
“Precisely on Monday 2nd September, 2024 at about 1000hrs, intelligence reports that we 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 seized cargoes were smuggled into the country in two batches: Six (6) packages in the first instance and Three (3) packages thereafter.
“The controlled substances were closely monitored on arrival by our eagle-eyed intelligence units that waited patiently for the consignee (the Customs Agent) to come forward for capturing and assessment of his consignment.
“While still in the NAHCO SHED, a joint examination was conducted, and it was discovered that the cargoes which had an Airway Bill No. 020-21171010 and 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 Tafradol-200MG, a brand of Tramadol Tablets, with a Duty Paid Value of Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦550,000,000).
“The said illicit drugs suspected to have originated from India were reported to have arrived the Port Harcourt International Airport through a Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt in Germany.
“One suspect by the name Mr. Patrick Agbo (the Customs Agent) was promptly arrested by our Customs Police unit and transported alongside the shipment to our cell in the Command’s headquarters where preliminary investigations were carried out.
“To ensure the proper handling of these items, I 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.
“This transfer signifies our collaborative efforts in tackling drug-related issues and ensuring that proper procedures are followed in handling illegal substances. This underscores our shared commitment to battling drug trafficking and safeguarding public health.
“To those unpatriotic and economic saboteurs, who may be contemplating such illegal activities, we advise you to cease immediately, because any attempt to bypass our rigorous security measures will not only be futile but will result to 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 are stronger than ever. 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 and we are resolute in our mission to protect our nation from the dangers posed by illicit drugs and contraband items.
“To our gallant officers and men of the Command, I commend you all to continue in your acts of bravery, courage, and patriotism, as well as commitment to duty. The government has entrusted you with powers to suppress smuggling at our borderlines, and therefore, we must be seen to carry out these tasks in the interest of maintaining national security and fair trade.
“Do also recall that the Comptroller General of Customs had used similar occasions in other Commands to warn officers not to be found complicit in such nefarious act, as this would lead to heavy sanctions as approved by the board of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Finally, my profound appreciation goes to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his unwavering support and encouragement towards our efforts. To our sister agencies and entire stakeholders, I salute your immense contributions and I appeal for your continuous collaboration and partnership. You can as well always count on our services whenever it is required.
“Thank you for your attention as I proceed to conduct the handing over exercise,” Comptr. Hashim stated.
Speaking in an interview shortly after the handing over exercise, Engr. Nathaniel A. Negedu, Commander NDLEA, PortHarcourt International Airport, disclosed that the importer of the illicit tablets, who felt that the seaport was too hot and a no go area for him, decide to try the bravery of his men and officers at the airport.
He, in the meantime, warned importers of illicit drugs in the country to desist from doing so, as his men and officers are ever ready to intercept illicit items, arrest and prosecute the importer of such illicit items in the court of law.
In the same vein, Sir Charles Onyema, the Airport chapter Chairman, Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), said that such seizure has never happened over decades in the history of the airport.
The ANLCA chapter Chairman, who wondered on those that would have been the victims of the illicit tablets, if not intercept by NDLEA, called for all hands to be on deck, towards the fight against the importation of illicit drugs in the country.
The Command in another development,
provided an overview of the revenue generated from January to August 2024, which highlighted on significant progress made by the Command, compared to the same period in 2023.
Briefing newsmen on the revenue generation of the Command during the period under review, Comptr. YM Hashim said: “I am delighted to announce to you that the Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command, PortHarcourt, has generated a total sum of ₦142,451,734,415.47 Billion as revenue collected from January to August 2024. This achievement signifies a substantial increase when placed in comparison with the same period in 2023 which amounted to ₦69,240,259,592.90.
“Also, the 2024 revenue indicates a remarkable difference of ₦73,211,474,823, which represents a 105 % increase.
“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 respectively.
“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.
“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.
“Furthermore, it is imperative to reveal that the increments varied from the different tax heads which include: Import duties, fees, excise duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), Federation Account levies, and, Non-Federation account levies which are all derived from various bulk cargoes such as Wheat, Bitumen, Salt, Frozen fish, among others.
“The month of August, however, 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 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.
“The value of waivers for August was estimated at Fourteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Eleven Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand and Sixty Three Naira (₦14,911, 338, 63), which would have resulted in the highest revenue figure of over ₦26.234 Billion into the Federation Account.
“We are poised to make the environment more conducive to traders as we are in full compliance with the Federal Government policy on 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 practice.
“The Command is in high spirits to surpass the expected annual revenue target of the Command and our focus for the remainder of the year will be on optimizing existing revenue streams and exploring new opportunities to maximize growth. We anticipate continued progress and are confident that we will surpass our revenue targets by the end of 2024,” CAC Hashim affirmed.
