The Tincan Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says a suspect, Boniface Ike, offered its officer N50 million gratification for releasing his seized container.

At a news conference on Monday, the command’s area controller, Adekunle Oloyede, said the seized products were imported from India by the suspect.

Mr Oloyede said the suspect and one of his accomplices are currently detained at the command’s enforcement unit in accordance with the investigation process of the service.

The area controller, who explained that the suspect allegedly confessed to being the importer of the seized containers valued at N550.3 million, wanted to have a private discussion with an officer.

“He offered gratification to the tune of N50 million as displayed, equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920.

“The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit to be tendered as an exhibit,” he said.

The customs boss said the service would not be a part of the nefarious acts, which would jeopardise the safety and lives of the country’s citizens.

He added that any fraudulent importer or agent who tried to perpetrate such acts would be prosecuted accordingly.

Mr Oloyede noted that the suspects, containers and the exhibit would be handed over to the agencies regulating and prosecuting offenders of crimes.

The customs boss said the command received timely intelligence from its intelligence unit on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs (unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products).

Mr Oloyede explained that the products were concealed in two by 40ft containers with bills of lading Nos 227578945 and 227898171.

“The following were discovered, container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were (1,016) packages containing electricals, ceiling fan, 36 Jewel (cooper) and chilly cutters (stainless steel plastic).

“After examination, the container was found to contain five cartons of timaking, 120 tapentadol (Tramadol) hydrochloride carisoprodol capsule.

“Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains five packets, each packet 200 tablets,” he said.

Other contents, according to him, are 84 cartons of gastro-resistant omeprazole capsule BP 200mg; each carton contains 50 packets, and each packet contains 10 capsules.

“876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.

“Fifty cartons of manual grater machine-70 pieces per carton and one carton of ceiling fan as means of concealment,” he said.

Mr Oloyede said the other container, No MRKU 553432/, had the details on Bill of Lading, with number 227898171, which contained 1,021 packages of ceiling fan, 36 jewels (cooper) and chilly cutter (stainless steel plastic).

He said after examination, the container contained 10 cartons of super royal 225 (tramadol).

“Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets.

“Other contents are 105 cartons of Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets; each packet contains 10 capsules, 754 cartons of Barcadin with codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.

“50 cartons of manual grater machine – 70 pieces per carton and one carton of compo ceiling fan as means of concealment,” he said. 

In a related development, he said the command on August 24 intercepted a container found to contain frozen poultry products.

“The goods were falsely declared as they are Import Prohibition (Trade), the Container has been seized for the contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023),” he said.

(NAN)