The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a suspected smuggler, Mr Boniface Ike, who offered a N50 million bribe to its officers for the release of his two containers containing illicit drugs worth N550.3 million. The bribe money was displayed to the media on Monday by the Tincan Island Port Area Command of the NCS in Lagos.
The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede, said that the suspect and one of his accomplices were detained at the command’s Enforcement Unit for investigation. He said that the suspect confessed to being the importer of the seized containers, which were allegedly imported from India.
Oloyede said that the command received timely intelligence from its Customs Intelligence Unit on the suspected importation of dangerous, unregistered and regulated pharmaceutical products concealed in two 40-foot containers with bills of lading numbers 227578945 and 227898171.
He said that on arrival of the vessel at Tincan Island Container Terminal, the containers were transferred immediately to the enforcement station for 100 per cent physical examination and further investigation.
He said that one of the containers contained five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsules, 84 cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, 876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing codeine, 50 cartons of manual grater machines and one carton of a ceiling fan as means of concealment.
He said that the duty paid value of the seized drugs was N550.3 million, while the duty paid value of the other items was N9.6 million, bringing the total value of the seizure to N559.9 million .
He said that the suspect approached one of his officers for a private discussion and offered him a N50 million bribe for his freedom and the release of the containers. He said that he instructed his officers to play along and collect the money, which was kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit to be tendered as an exhibit.
He said that the suspect would be prosecuted according to the law and warned other smugglers to desist from such criminal activities or face the full wrath of the law. He also commended his officers for their professionalism and integrity in handling the case.
