Customs raids criminals’ dens in Lagos, Ogun, seizes drugs, cars

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, says it has carried out series of raids at some criminal hideouts in Lagos and Ogun states over the last one week and recovered harmful drugs and vehicles worth N1.2 billion. The drugs recovered included 541 cartons of chest and lung tablets, 211 cartons […]

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, says it has carried out series of raids at some criminal hideouts in Lagos and Ogun states over the last one week and recovered harmful drugs and vehicles worth N1.2 billion.

The drugs recovered included 541 cartons of chest and lung tablets, 211 cartons of Analgin injection, 238 cartons of Diclofenac and 158 cartons of potassium capsules.

Also intercepted were 1,698 cartons of Powerman tablets, 671 kg of Pangolin scales and 5,226 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, all with a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.01bn.

The seized six vehicles were a Toyota Tacoma, two Lexus ES350 cars, two Toyota Highlander SUVs and a Toyota Hilux pick-up van, all with a DPV of N242 million.

The Controller, FOU, Zone A, Mohammed Aliyu, disclosing these while briefing reporters on the activities of his command in the last one week, said, “Within a week, buoyed by some impactful motivations, we have intercepted six cars worth over N242m at various border points and car marts.

“The Toyota Tacoma is worth N47.8m; the Lexus ES 350, N16.5m; the Toyota Highlander, N47.5m; another Lexus ES RX 350L valued at N34m; the Toyota Hilux with a DPV of N41.6m and Toyota Highlander, N54.5.”

He added that some of the vehicles were still being detained pending when the owners would present documents of payment of Customs duty.

“They are being detained pending the provision of proper documents. When the owners bring the proper documents covering them, we would release them. But if they don’t, we will seize them. There are procedures to be followed and that’s why they are being detained,” he said.

On interception of the drugs, Aliyu said the drivers abandoned the trucks in which the drugs were loaded and fled.

He said, “The drivers abandoned the truck and ran away when my men were concentrating on checking the products. If our operatives had spent time pursuing the drivers into the bush, the motor boys could take the wheel and speed away with the drugs.”

Aliyu also said NCS operatives in the zone seized 5,226 bags of 50kg of parboiled rice within the week.

The Director (Port Inspection), National Agency for Drug & Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Samson Adebayo, said at the occasion that the seized drugs could trigger heart attack in users.

Adebayo, who commended the inter-agency cooperation between NAFDAC and the NCS, disclosed that the drugs originated from India.

“Powerman is a type of drug for sexual enhancement for men, but it wasn’t registered. Its strength is higher than what should be registered. What we register at NAFDAC is 50 milligram, and on rare occasions, 100mg. But this Powerman is 130mg, meaning anyone using it is prone to cardiac arrest.

“Now that there are reports of men dying during sexual intercourse, it’s possible they have been taking sex enhancement drugs to boost their performance. Men should desist from taking drugs not registered. These are mostly drugs sold by hawkers without any professional guidance,” he said.