The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected  N18.2 billion in revenues at its Oyo/Osun area command in the first quarter of 2024.

It also seized smuggled goods with payable duties of N2.1 billion during the period, its Area Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Mr Oramalugo told journalists that the command recorded significant successes in intercepting smuggled goods during the period under review.

“In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, enhanced border surveillance and the use of advanced technology, we seized narcotics, foreign parboiled rice, petrol, second-hand clothing and used tyres.

“Between March 1 and April 16, we seized 982 (50kg) bags of foreign rice, 254 pieces of used tyres, 12 sacks and 40 wraps of Indian hemp and 494 (25-litre) kegs of petrol.

“We also seized 27 bales of African textiles, 20 packs of tramadol and one pack of Diazepam tablets, among others.

“These interceptions underscore our commitment to thwart the smuggling of prohibited items into our communities, thereby upholding the integrity of our borders and safeguarding public health and national interests,’’ he said.

He noted that the command had zero tolerance for contraband goods and assured that it would not allow those in the illegal business to thrive.

Mr Oramalugo also handed over fake pharmaceutical products worth N1.7 billion seized by the command to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Receiving the fake pharmaceuticals, NAFDAC South-West coordinator, Roseline Ajayi, appreciated the Customs Service for collaborating with the agency in fighting the distribution and sale of fake drugs.

Ms Ajayi noted that the Customs Service was more empowered at the borders than NAFDAC to tackle fake drug importation.

She observed that some of the seized pharmaceutical products had fake NAFDAC numbers and would be subjected to laboratory analyses as a precursor to their destruction. 

(NAN)