Customs intercepts N44.9b illicit drugs at Lagos Airport
Collects N16 billion revenue
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted N44.9bn worth of illicit drugs.
In the area of revenue collection, the command recorded more than N16 billion in August and made its highest daily revenue of N3.5 billion last week, representing 307 percent rise as against N1.6 billion normal daily revenue.
The drugs intercepted included tramadol, assorted Cannabis which were seized in the past seven months.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, disclosed this Information to the executive of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) who paid a visit to him recently l.
Otunla noted that the Command has now been able to tame the smugglers in the past seven months, maintaining that the seizure was as a result of intelligence network introduced by his administration to tackle issues of hard drug smuggling in the airport.
According to him, “When I came, there was a little loggerhead with the regulatory agency, but good reason prevailed. We have been intercepting lots of such dangerous drugs, as we arrest them, we hand over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and we have stemmed the tide.”
The Controller also stated that on assuming office, he had moved to check areas of revenue leakages by focusing on unutilized airway bills.
Otunla revealed that this was one area the Command can suffer revenue loss as importers do everything to cut corners by wrapping together some of the imports as one in a bid to evade payment of correct duties.
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He affirmed that this has paid off, adding that the nefarious activities in the areas of unutilized bills have been reduced to the barest minimum.
“In view of the several techniques employed for smuggling, we also introduced several layers of checks. Our officers have kept eagle eyes on whatever happens to ensure that the issues of unutilized bills are identified,” said he.
He expressed dismay that some of the smugglers have been recalcitrant in their activities, adding that they connive with some terminal operators to take their goods without declarations.
Otunla explained that this was why the Command has decided to maintain a close watch on them, stating, “we are several steps above them in their plots.”
He gave an indication that once the entire system is automated, it will go a long way in reducing snuggling.
He stated that since assuming office, all he has tried to do is to ensure the promotion of trade facilitation.
Part of the trade facilitation efforts, according to him, is to ensure that goods are cleared as fast as possible without importers or clearing agents complaining of delays.
“Airport is a peculiar command because most of the spare parts for industries come through here and we render urgent services. We ensure the processes for release of goods are not delayed,” he said.
He commended the Comptroller General of the Service, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his national service and the support to the Command to be able to carry out its assignment.
