The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted 5,056 cartons of prohibited drugs valued at N242. 6 million.
The Comptroller-General of customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, stated this on Monday in Lagos.
According to Ali, the drugs intercepted, which include Tramadol capsules, Really Extra and Royal, are detrimental to human health.
“They are dangerous drugs our youths and mostly our women are now using as a way of relieving stress.
“They are not drugs meant for consumption. They are completely prohibited, but still find their way into this country.
“We must have three layers of defence in order to accost this type of thing, otherwise if you leave the ports or the borders just like that, a lot of these things will find their way in and will not be traced.
“So we are not deliberately harassing people, but we are trying to secure the society.
“We are trying to protect the society, which is one of our mandates.’’
According to him, it is regrettable that a Nigerian decided to bring such quantity of drugs into the country.
He said the containers intercepted on the Ibadan Expressway on the Sango Otta axis, originated from India.
Ali said the owner of the container would be traced and would be punished in accordance with the law.
“If drugs like these, absolutely prohibited, are being imported, then we have a cause for concern.
“We are the gate keepers, we have to think again and re-strategise on what to do, especially with our borders and sea ports; that is one concern.
“This is why I am appealing to Nigerians: You can do other things and make money; but not completely ruin lives and health because you want to make money.
“Please if you do get information, the Nigerian Customs Service will be glad to have that information so that we can reduce this thing to the barest minimum.’’
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(NAN)
