Customs Seizes Illicit Drugs Worth Over N46 Billion, Generates N550 Billion in Revenue

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne, Rivers State, has seized illegal drugs, including counterfeit tablets, with a combined value exceeding N46.399 billion. The seizure includes 21 containers of illicit drugs and a 20-foot container filled with donkey skins.

At a media briefing in Onne on Monday, Customs Area Controller Comptroller Mohammed Ndede highlighted the significant operation, noting that the seizures include: 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tamil, among others. Additionally, counterfeit Gonorrhoea antibiotics were also found without a NAFDAC number.

The seizures, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N46.4 billion for the drugs and N441 million for the donkey skins, reflect the ongoing success of the NCS in curbing illegal trade. Some of the drugs had been cleverly hidden under plumbing materials and local grinding tools to avoid detection.

Ndede explained that the command had implemented a state of emergency following rising security concerns, which grants the authority to scrutinize all suspected containers regardless of ownership. He credited the successful operation to collaboration with agencies such as the NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine, and NAFDAC.

Further, Ndede revealed that the NCS has made 63 container seizures in 2024, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition, with a total DPV for these seizures amounting to N130.56 billion.

On revenue generation, Ndede reported that the Command had generated N550.43 billion as of the latest figures, 89% of its annual target of N618 billion. He also highlighted the export of 2.44 million metric tonnes of goods, valued at over $826 million, as a key contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the drug seizure, and investigations are ongoing. The seized items have been handed over to the relevant agencies, including the NDLEA and Quarantine, with further transfers to NAFDAC planned.