By: Amadi Vincent Uzoma
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has confiscated illegal goods valued at over N3 billion in the North-West and North-Central zones.
Included in the seized items were 58,750 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of analgin injection intended for delivery to bandits at Saminaka Forest in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Addressing the media about the seizure, the unit’s comptroller Bello stated that based on intelligence, Customs officers intercepted a truck transporting 750 sacks of donkey bones and meat worth over N3 billion in total.
The comptroller revealed that the tramadol sachets were hidden among motor spare parts in the truck to avoid detection by Customs officers along the Saminaka/Kafanchan route.
He emphasized the concern that donkeys are endangered animals being exploited to extinction by unethical individuals and stressed that the Customs Service would not tolerate the illicit trade practices.
He mentioned that the illegal drugs were destined for violent terrorists in the Saminaka Forest, Lere Local Government Area of the state before being seized by his team.
In a regretful tone, he announced that Customs officers seized shipments of donkey bones and meat on two separate occasions with a combined Duty Paid Value of about Three Billion Naira.
“On April 25, 2024, unit operatives intercepted a truck bearing Registration Number GGE 526 XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State carrying illicit goods destined for Kaduna for further assessment based on credible information.
“Upon inspection, the truck was found to be transporting 750 sacks of donkey bones valued at Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,363,500,000.00) alone. Notably, one suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure.
“Additionally, on May 5, 2024, at approximately 0310hrs, unit officers intercepted Two Canter Trucks loaded with Dried Donkey Meat on Kontagora – Tegina Road in Niger State. Following a thorough examination, it was discovered that the trucks contained 860 sacks of Dried Donkey meat. Three suspects were arrested in relation to the incident.
“Furthermore, our concern extends to the interception of 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Analgine injection on May 2, 2024, at around 1130hrs along the Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan route in Kaduna State.
“These banned drugs were cleverly hidden within motor spare parts but were detected by our vigilant officers. The total value of these illegal drugs amounts to One Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N167,500,000.00) only.”
The comptroller also mentioned the seizure of 12 vehicles, 174 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each), 234 jerry cans of PMS (25 liters each), 109 bales of second-hand clothing, 367 cartons of Spaghetti, 50 cartons of Macaroni, and 47 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil among other confiscated items.
