Profiling technique: Tincan Customs seizes containers of pharmaceutical products

By Udeme Clement

The Tincan Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is in the news again, as the Command  recorded another break through in intercepting items using the latest technique of container profiling with electronic data.

The Command just intercepted 2 x 40ft containers fully loaded with pharmaceutical products but falsely declared as vehicles, cartons of makeup and computer accessories.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, disclosed this through the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Uche Ejesieme.

He revealed that the seizure was made possible with the latest operational methodology adopted by the Command through profiling, cargo selectivity and system checks using electronic manifest.

His assertion: “The Command is adopting these procedures to ensure that all imports are electronically monitored, with a view to identifying non-compliant declarations and other infractions that could jeopardise the change ideology of the Service.

The containers were flagged following some discrepancies in documentation as well as declaration made in the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form C 2010, hence there was need for further checks.”

“The declarations made on SGD C-No. 13473 of 09-02-2017 and SGD C- N0. 84118 of 24-08-2017 were at variance with the contents in the system bill of lading, which fuelled suspicion.  The importers names are; J. S. Akuasosi Nig. Enterprises Ltd. of No. 31 Balogun Street Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, Del-Dominion Gold Ventures of No. 5 Borno Crescent Apapa – Lagos and S. Chinax Services Nig. Ltd. of No. 5 Industrial Road Port-Harcourt and Robby Concept Int’l Agency Ltd. of Mini Flat 4 Nnewi building Apapa-Lagos, as declarants.  In view of that, the two containers were taken to the Enforcement Unit for 100 percent examination, which revealed the contents  to be pharmaceutical products and not vehicles.”

“These declarations are contrary to the said contents of  three units of used vehicles, cartons of makeup kits, 850 cartons of computer accessories, keyboard and Mouse. This infraction, which is tantamount to untrue declaration falls under section 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act  CAP C45 LFN 2004 as amended”.

While handing over the containers to NAFDAC officials, the CAC reiterated his resolve to make the Command a model Port, where compliant traders will enjoy all the tools for trade facilitation created by the  Service in line with global best practice. He enjoined importers and their agents to continually uphold the tenets of integrity and due diligence in their declarations, as anything contrary would be handled in accordance with the law. The containers were eventually handed over  to the representative of the Director General of  NAFDAC, ABUBAKAR SALISU ABDU, who is the Chief Regulatory Officer, NAFDAC Port Health, Tincan Island Port, Lagos.

Financial Business & Maritime News inquest revealed that the items  include 240 cartons of new Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg tablets,

240 cartons of double Extra Strong Tramadol 200mg,

• cartons of Super Power Tramadol Hydrochloride,

70 cartons of Ibamol – Diclofenac Sodium capsules 50mg and 60 cartons of Really Extra – Analgesique.

However, it could be recalled that the Tincan Command recently intercepted 470 pump action rifles imported into Nigeria from Turkey using the same profiling technique, which implies that the operatives of Tincan Command are fast becoming experts in using the latest containers profiling technique.