Customs Intercepts Trucks Of Fake Drugs In Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a three-container loads of fake drugs in Lagos.

The Containers were seized by the federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Ikeja.

The unit, it was learned, has increased the tempo of its seizures based on information and an intelligent report given to the comptroller by the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) officers attached to him.

The value of the three containers of fake drugs, cables and other contraband seized is over N356 million.

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, Area Controller Mohammed Uba Garba said the items were shipped into the country in a 40ft container, numbered MSK U 8751322 and two 20feet containers, numbered MSKU144709/0 and MRKU 738266.

He said the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the fake drugs is over N31million, wondering why the importers, now at large, would want to destroy the health of Nigerians with their illicit trade and love for money.

Fourteen containers, the Controller said, were seized by the unit for false declaration and breach of Customs law, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N104,684,023.7.

Garba said:“After intensifying our operational modalities to meet up with the present smuggling tactics, we have intercepted contrabands with Duty Paid Value of over N356million.”

The seized items, findings showed, include 11 used vehicles, 4,227 bags of imported rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, Indian hemp, medicaments, used tiyes, scrap metals, bales of used clothing and shoes, among others.

The items, Garba said, were seized by the unit between August 29 and October 3.

“While seven containers carried unprocessed wood, one container carried scrap metals, another carried wet blue (leather) for export. All fall under export prohibition list.

“Three of the seized containers were medicaments without import documents and certification. Two containers carried a purported made-in- Nigeria cable but were imported from China. The importer declared the item as electric distribution board and ballast. Only God knows what would have happened if these fake products get into our market,” he said.

The 11 vehicles seized by the unit, it was gathered, include two Lexus Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), one Toyota Rav4, two Toyota Camry, five Mercedes Benz and one IVECO truck.

The DPV of the vehicles, according to the controller, is over N125million.

“Also, we have 17 vehicles of various models in detention. The vehicles were evacuated from car marts due to the infraction noticed in their document. As I speak with you, the owners have not provided Customs papers in respect of some of the vehicles, but we have given them enough room to provide the documents. The vehicles under detention have a duty paid value of N141,877,496.15,” Garba said.