The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Onne Area 11 Command, have seized 20 containers laden with illicit drugs and contraband products worth more than N13 billion.

The command’s outgoing comptroller, Muhammad Babandede. made the remark on Wednesday at Onne, saying that the seizure was part of his final task at the command.

Mr Babandede was recently promoted to the rank of assistant comptroller general and redeployed to Lagos.

Describing the seizure as a parting gift, Mr Babandede reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public health and safety.

He, however, noted with dismay that some individuals indulged in the use of illicit medicines for different reasons without adequate professional advice.

“For instance, Codeine syrup and Tramadol might be abused because of their euphoric effect which often leads to addiction, drug dependence and even crime.

“Recently, the Onne Command successfully intercepted 20 containers with a combined duty paid value of more than N13 billion.

“Highlights of the drugs concealed in the container include more than one million bottles of Codeine syrup.

“Others are over three million tablets of Diclofenac, over three million tablets of Benzhexol and several cartons of laboratory equipment amongst others,” he said.

Mr Babandede also noted that the illicit medicines which were imported from India, targeted the Nigerian market.

According to him, while being calculative at evading regulatory scrutiny, the drugs were carefully smuggled using the criminal tactics of concealing them.

He said that the illicit items were disguised as regular imports and commended the collaborative efforts of the sister agencies in intercepting them.

“Various items including chilly cutters, cartons of bench vice, ceiling fans, plumbing materials, tomato paste, bales of used clothings, agricultural equipment amongst others were also discovered in the containers,” he added.

Handing over the illicit medicines and contraband consumables to the operatives of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and NAFDAC, Mr Babandede decried negative impacts of drug trafficking to the nation.

(NAN)