The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday said it has seized 654 cartons of Tramadol imported into the country from India.
Addressing newsmen, in Apapa, Lagos, the Comptroller, Yusuf Malanta, added that 989 cartons of Mixagrip tabs wrongfully declared as winches and gaskets were also intercepted at the Lagos port.
According to him, the total Duty Paid Value on the seized goods is N223,225,900.
Malanta disclosed that the seizure was coming barely three weeks after he assumed office as the controller of the command.
“I resumed duty here in Apapa with strong determination, zeal and commitment to ensure that the confidence and trust bestowed on me by the Comptroller-general of Customs are upheld and not abused. In line with that, the command’s anti-smuggling architecture has been re-designed to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
“Acting on Manifest Management System, we were able to track and intercept a container with No. 1793504 manifested as ceramic tiles. Upon 100 per cent physical examination to ascertain its true contents, it was found to contain 554 cartons of Tramadol capsules (120mg) concealed with 1,000 cartons of ceramic tiles,” he said.
The controller added that a 40ft container loaded with sacks of mosquito coil products, but declared as ground paper and packaging paper bag, seven containers loaded with bales of used clothing and shoes, was discovered.
“Based on the foregoing, the command has launched a preliminary investigation with a view to identifying the consignees for arrest and possible prosecution,” he said.
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