By Abimbola Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Apapa Area Command, has declared a seizure of 13 containers, including 46.55 kg of Cocaine with a duty paid value of 285 million naira in the month of November.
The cocaine was concealed on vessels MV KARTERIA and CHAYANEE NAREE with a street value of N13.2 billion on two different occasions.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, in a statement said that the Command’s seizure record between January to November 2021 stood at 97 containers with a total duty paid value of N17.5 billion.
He listed the seized items to include: hard substance like Captagon pills, Cocaine, Tramadol, Codeine syrup, Foreign parboiled rice, Tomato paste, Used clothings, among others.
He stated that “these were seizures made based on clear contravention of sections 46, 47 and 161 of CEMA (Customs and Excise Management Act) Cap C45 LFN 2004”
He furthered said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we would like to reiterate here that we will not compromise proper examination on the altar of trade facilitation, and we will also not relent on sharing intelligence to alert the system on false declaration even after examination or release of falsely declared cargo”.
“Concealments will always be unveiled through the use of forensic manifest management system and synergy with other sister agencies in the port” he added.
He appreciated stakeholders and compliant traders for keeping to the rules of engagement on import and export procedures by adhering to the dictates of import/export guidelines.
He said “I would like to warn perpetrators of illegalities that our officers are always vigilant to uncover any form of unlawful trade”.
He added that “I once again want to urge the trading public to make sincere declarations, pay accurate duty and get required permits to avoid losing their investments and facing prosecution”.
He also revealed that on the revenue aspect, the Apapa Area Command has collected a record-breaking revenue figure of N89.7 billion in November 2021 which is the highest monthly collection by any command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Also, he said that the command’s revenue profile between January to November 2021 stood at N784.8 billion.
“This remarkable feat is a result of improved inter-agency synergies, enhanced trade facilitation, speedy dispute resolution and prevention of revenue leakages” he said.
