Onne Comand Customs Chief,Comptroller Mohammed Babandede addressing the media recently
Growing strategic synergy between the Onne Customs Area 2 Command led by Compt. M Babandede and the NDLEA intelligence Department in the Port has yielded huge seizures of hard drugs worth over N12bn.
The was made public Thursday by the Area Controller, Mr. Babandede during a media briefing at the Command in Onne Port, Rivers State.
Addressing media executives, he recalled that “You are aware that on the 1st of this month the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi was in the Command and he address members of the fourth realm on recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.
According to him, “Despite his warming on that day, it is unfortunate that some saboteurs have continued to engage in the unpatriotic act of undermining the importation processes, guideline and procedures. Notwithstanding, in the face of challenging security situation in the Country the Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continue to step up its security function in the area of policing our Sea Port in such a way that those who do not wish our nation well will not have their way.
He was excited to reveal that “the Command has again recorded another significant breakthrough over these unpatriotic people who do not have the interest of our Nation at heart as attested by the seizures on display today.
“In line with the CGC policy thrust of Collaboration and Consolidation the Command on receipt of creditable intelligence on some 40 feet containers sprang into action. In collaboration with National Drug law Enforcement Agency, Onne Port Chapter, these containers were Identified, positioned and jointly examined in the presence of sister agencies.
“A total of Seven (7) seized Containers were made. These Containers were found to contain
1,054,400 bottles of different cough syrup codeine (100ml)
9,100 pieces of Chilly Cutter
2,175,000 tablets of Hyergra tablets (200mg)
1,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief tablets (50mg)
“The above seizures are estimated at ₦11,200,000,000. which represents a huge loss on the part of those involved despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of further investigation. It is worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. The Seized Cough Syrup Codeine and Tablets would be handed over formally to the NDLEA in due course for further investigation.
“We wish to reiterate the resolve of the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne under the present Comptroller General of Customs will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.
“In the area of Revenue, the Command in the first half of the year generated a total of ₦312,094,367,124.58 which translate to 50.5 percent of the annual target given to the Command. As at this morning the Command has generated ₦48,056,806,692.00 in the month of July and we still have five working days left in the month.
Babandede added that “We are determined to increase our revenue profile and at the same time working tirelessly in protecting public health and safety.”
