Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, CAC, Apapa Command
The Apapa Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has impounded 554 cartons of Tramadol capsules (120mg), seven containers of used clothing and shoes and one container of pharmaceutical products worth N223,225,900.00 in Duty Paid Value (DPV).
The new Controller of the Command , Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, made this revelation when he addressed the Press on Thursday, saying that the seizure was a testimony to the fact that the Command has re-designed its anti- smuggling architecture to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
Shedding more light on the seizures , he said that the Tradamol was discovered to be concealed with 1000 cartons of ceramic tiles in a container No. 1793504 during 100% physical examination to ascertain its content while acting on Manifest Management system
He revealed that the mosquito coil was declared as ground paper and packaging paper bag while the unregistered pharmaceutical product contained 989 cartons of Mixagrip tabs and was wrongfully declared as winches and gaskets.
Yusuf explained that the consignments were seized for breaching the provisions of sections 46, 47, and 161 of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004 and provision of schedule 4 (17) of the Common External Tariff.
Subsequently, he said the Command has launched a preliminary investigation with a view to identifying the consignees for arrest and possible prosecution in connection with the criminal and unlawful importation.
Yusuf assured members of the business community that the command will increase sensitization, enlightenment and robust stakeholders engagement for seamless operations, with a view to educating the public on the harmful and destructive nature of these illegal importations.
He said the Command under his watch will not tolerate any untoward and unlawful behavior from any importer or declarant.
