By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Oyo and Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have disclosed that it intercepted and seized smuggled fake drugs valued over N1 billion along the Bakatari area of Omi-Adio, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The Area Controller of the Command, Ben Oramalugo, who made this disclosure while briefing newsmen on Friday, 1 March, 2024 in Ibadan, said the Command had been an enforcement-oriented Command that prioritised the fight against smuggling in all its operations.
The seized fake drugs, according to Oramalugo, had a total Duty Paid Value (DPV ) of N1,739,000,000,000 only for the 2024 fiscal year.
According to the Custom area commander, the NCS, through the area command, aimed to alleviate the hardship experienced as a result of some economic saboteurs in the country, adding that they had also successfully intercepted and seized contraband goods, including items that posed threats to economic stability and lives of the citizens in the country.
“For the period of 19th January to February 2024, the command has intercepted and seized the following contraband goods, foreign parboiled rice 345 (50kg) bags, worth N24,218,000.00, Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, 344 (25 litres) kegs, worth N5,728,500.00, Indian Hemp, 4 wraps (4 Kilograms), worth N126, 000.00, Used Tyres, 1309 pieces, worth N70, 140,000,00, used clothes and shoes, 45 sacks/, 8 sacks/9 sacks, bales, worth N32,400,000.00/N10, 320, 000,00.”
“Fake Pharmaceuticals, Augmentin Tablet, (625mg), 7 sacks, worth N819,000,000,00, Ampiclox, 22 sacks, worth N440,000,000,00, Amoxylin Capsules, 24 sacks, worth N480,000,000,00, foreign wine, 34 cartons, 5 bottles, worth, N6,231,206,00, foreign vegetable oil, 40 bottles (5 litres), worth, N1,760,000,00, 21 bottles (1 litre), worth N99,225,00, totalling N1,890,022,931.00,” he said.
Oramalugo restated the commitment of the command towards the ongoing economic difficulties by supporting the Federal Government to enhance food security in the country.
