NCS Intercepts Arms, Illicit Drug-Filled Containers Worth N13.9bn Without Naming Owner

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said its operatives intercepted nine containers carrying arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, and thrift clothes worth N13.9 billion.

Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General, disclosed this on Monday while addressing the press in Onne Port, Rivers State.

According to Adeniyi, one of the containers originated from Turkey based on the number of risk factors associated with the importation, stating it was the subject of interest to the service.

Describing the container, Adeniyi said,

We have followed its sail across continents, and we’ve benefitted immensely from credible information through our collaboration with intelligence communities both at local, national and international levels.

The importer tried to circumvent the procedure through the outlet of a private-bonded terminal,” he said.

He added,

On Friday, 21st of June 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. Inside the container were 844 units of assorted riffles and 12,500 pieces of life ammunition concealed with various items like doors, furniture fittings and leather bags.

While he noted that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice, he did not mention the names associated with the container.

On other containers, Adeniyi said, “On Saturday, our officers intercepted eight pieces of 40-foot containers transiting from a bonded terminal.

“On examination, six containers were laden with 1.5 million bottles of cough syrup of codeine in 100ml sizes, 3.5m tablets of tramadol.

The duty-paid value of the containers is N9.6bn. The total duty paid value of the nine containers is N13.9bn,” said the CG.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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