The Tincan Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has exposed an audacious attempt to bribe one of its officers. The suspect, identified as Mr. Boniface Ike, allegedly offered a staggering N50 million bribe to secure the release of a container that had been confiscated by the customs authorities.

The revelation came to light during a press conference held in Lagos on Monday, where Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede, the Area Controller of the command, shared the details. The seized container, which was believed to have been illicitly imported from India, contained contraband items. Oloyede disclosed that the suspect, along with an accomplice, was currently under detention within the command’s Enforcement Unit as part of ongoing investigations.

Remarkably, Oloyede revealed that the customs officers had been instructed to play along with Mr. Ike’s request for a private discussion. This maneuver was carried out with the expectation of extracting valuable information from the suspect. However, to their astonishment, the suspect instead pleaded for his release from custody and for the confiscated containers to be freed. As part of this effort, he allegedly offered a bribe amounting to N50 million, equivalent to approximately $54,330 based on the prevailing exchange rate of N920. The money was promptly collected and secured as evidence within the enforcement unit.

Oloyede, emphasizing the timely intelligence provided by the Customs Intelligence Unit, detailed that the illicit items had been concealed within two 40-foot containers with specific bills of lading numbers: 227578945 and 227898171. Upon the vessel’s arrival at the Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT), the containers were swiftly transferred to the enforcement station for a thorough physical examination and further scrutiny.

The examination, conducted on August 22 and 23 at around 2 pm and 1 pm respectively, involved the concerted efforts of enforcement officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police, and terminal examination officers. The inspection led to the startling discovery that the container with the bill of lading number MRSU 592397/0 contained items that contradicted the listed contents. While the bill of lading indicated electricals, ceiling fans, 36 jewels (Cooper), and chilly cutters (stainless steel plastic), the examination unveiled a significantly different reality.

The container was found to hold five cartons of Timaking 120 tapentadol (Tramadol) hydrochloride carisoprodol capsules. Each carton contained 50 rolls, each roll had five packets, and each packet encompassed 200 tablets. Moreover, other contents within the containers were disclosed, including 84 cartons of gastro-resistant omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, 876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing codeine, 50 cartons of manual grater machines, and a ceiling fan.

The second container, bearing the number MRKU 553432/1, contained 10 cartons of Super Royal 225mg (Tramadol), each carton holding 50 rolls, and each roll including 10 packets, each containing 10 tablets. Additionally, the container held 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg, 754 cartons of Barcadin with Codeine 100ml, 50 cartons of manual grater machines, and a compo ceiling fan.

Oloyede highlighted that the pharmaceutical products confiscated were unregistered and fell under the purview of regulation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Importantly, the importer lacked the necessary permits, certificates, or documentation to verify the safety of these products for Nigerian consumers.

As part of the process, Oloyede affirmed that both the suspects and the seized items would be handed over to relevant agencies responsible for regulation and the prosecution of offenders. Additionally, he revealed that the customs command intercepted another container on August 24, containing frozen poultry products. The interception followed a rigorous surveillance operation during a routine examination at TICT. The container, numbered TTNU 804678/9, had falsely declared its contents as tangerines, but subsequent investigation showed that the goods were under import prohibition according to Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).

With an unwavering commitment to combatting the menace of illegal importation of dangerous drugs and substances, Oloyede assured that the Customs would collaborate with other security and regulatory agencies, deploying all necessary resources and strategies to address this pressing issue.