NDLEA intercepts 214,732kg of cocaine

•Customs impounds 20 containers of vegetable oil over alleged false declaration

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the seizsure of about eight bags (25 pieces per bag) of substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 214.732kg in 1 x 20ft container No. CMAU 045195/0.

Besides, the Tincan Island Port of the Nigeria Customs Command recently intercepted 20 Containers of vegetable oil wrongly declared as Disodium Phosphate.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, who confirmed the cocaine seizsure said, this ranks among the highest in terms of volume in the country in recent times.

He said: “This is no doubt a spectacular and remarkable seizure considering the well articulated intelligence coordination mechanism adopted and harnessed by the Command in it’s resilience to achieve desired results,”

The Controller stated that all hands are on deck to ensure that Tincan Port continued to blaze the trail for enforcement with diligence and professionalism.

Meanwhile, The Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port, Lagos, generated a N207.8 billion between January and October 2016.

This sum, according to Yusuf represents a positive trend in considering the prevailing economic recession, which has become a global phenomenon.

Yusuf uncovered the false declaration while on a routine visit to the Terminal.

He stated that a certain clearing agent named, Patwed Investment Company; presented three Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) with C-No. 102101, purporting to be having seven containers of 7588pk of Disodium Phosphate.

The Controller stated that upon 100 per cent examination with other relevant agencies, it was discovered that none of the containers had Disodium Phosphate other than 25kg kegs of vegetable oil.

The Controller maintained that his Command will stop at nothing in its resolve to ensure that 100 per cent examination is conducted on all cargoes so as to nip all manner of infraction in the bud in line with the change mantra of the Federal Government and the Comptroller General of Customs.

Speaking further, the Controller pointed out that paintaking investigation will be conducted to identify those behind the illicit act for prosecution.

On the legal implications, he stated that the importation contravenes the import regulations, particularly sections 46 & 47 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, CAP C 45 Laws of the Federation as amended.

The Controller commended the officers for demonstrating due diligence and professionalism in the discharge of their official functions.