Onne Customs Intercepts Illicit Drugs Worth Over ₦10b, Generates ₦190.5b in Q1 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area II Command, Onne Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has intercepted 20 containers with illicit drugs valued at over ₦10 billion.

The Command also announced impressive revenue generation of ₦190.57 billion for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 17.12% compared to the same period in 2024.

This was disclosed on Wednesday during a press briefing by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, at the Command’s headquarters in Onne.

Highlighting the critical functions of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Babandede emphasised its role in economic development and national security, especially through collecting import duties and levies and enforcing compliance with customs regulations and government trade policies.

Decrying the importation of prohibited items, particularly illicit drugs, Babandede described the trend as not only criminal but detrimental to public health and safety. He warned that such actions carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and/or fines, as prescribed by the Nigeria Customs extant laws.

“It is important to understand that importing illicit drugs and other banned goods into the country can have serious implications for society,” he stated. “The impact ranges from increased crime and substance abuse to addiction and broader health concerns within our communities. This menace must be eradicated.”

Breakdown of Seizures

Between January and March 2025, the Command made the following significant seizures:

• 1 x 40ft container (TLLU6901759): 158,400 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), and 11,690 pieces of chilli cutters

• 1 x 40ft container (MRKU2117319): 158,400 bottles of Barcadin with Codeine Syrup (100ml each), and 240 pieces of local sanitary wares

• 2 x 40ft containers (MRKU4875853 & TCNU2623453): 271,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 85,000 bottles of CSMIX with Codeine, 1,200 pieces of cock fittings, 94 cartons of sanitary wares, and 21 cartons of TBS rubber

• 4 x 20ft containers (PCIU0094329, PCIU1014858, PCIU1367243 & PCIU00229679): 64,416 tins (400mg each) and 16,104 tins (200mg each) of Soupy Tomato Paste

• 1 x 40ft container (MEDU7751984): 280 bales of used clothing and two cartons of toys

• 6 x 20ft containers (MEDU6909397, TGBU3174254, CAIU6719204, TTNU1932358, GLDU5050514 & MEDU2120820): 6,300 jerry cans (25 litres each) of Delicieux Cooking Oil

• 2 x 20ft containers (GLDU3216822 & MEDU1266507): 2,100 jerry cans of Super Gold Vegetable Oil (25 litres each)

• 1 x 40ft container (TCKU7701615): 980,000 tablets of Tamol-X, 4,830,000 capsules of Pregabalin (300mg each), and 288 cartons of WC fittings

• 1 x 40ft container (MSMU5925355): 320 bales of used clothes

• 1 x 40ft container (TCKU6160305): 360 bales of used clothes, two bags, and one box of personal effects

The intercepted items’ total duty paid value (DPV) is ₦10,293,677,040.00.

Comptroller Babandede attributed these successful operations to the officers’ courage, professionalism, and integrity, who conducted thorough examinations and documentary checks.

Revenue Performance

The Command collected ₦190,569,212,397.42 in revenue between January and March 2025. This reflects a ₦27,864,668,442.61 increase from the ₦162,705,313,561.48 generated in the same period in 2024—a 17.12% improvement.

Export Milestone

The Command also recorded significant export activities, with 1,274,695 metric tonnes of goods exported, primarily agricultural produce and solid minerals. The total value of these exports stood at ₦2,345,268,122.00.

Trade Facilitation

Comptroller Babandede noted progress on trade facilitation through the modernisation of customs operations. The Command, he said, has leveraged a unified import/export management system to enhance container release efficiency.

“We trained stakeholders on the B’odogwu Unified Information Management System to ensure they fully understand the clearing process and boost revenue efficiency,” he added.

Inter-Agency Collaboration

The Command also handed over a 1 x 20ft container found to contain donkey skin intended for export to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as part of its collaborative framework with sister agencies.

Commendation and Commitment

Comptroller Babandede expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc(+), and the NCS management for providing the enabling environment to deliver on their mandate.

He also commended command officers and compliant stakeholders for their dedication and partnership, affirming the Service’s continued commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and security.