The Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it rejected a N50 million bribe offered by a smuggler involved in the importation of tramadol and other drugs in exchange for the release of his containers. The Customs Area Comptroller of Tincan, Mr. Adekunle Oloyede, explained that the suspect, Mr. Boniface Ike, claimed ownership of two containers arrested for carrying drugs with a duty paid value of N550 million ($598,845).
Oloyede recounted that during the investigation, Ike attempted to negotiate privately with the customs officials. However, instead of accepting the bribe, the officers collected the money and kept it in safe custody as evidence. Ike’s attempt to secure his release and the containers by offering the bribe highlights the ongoing issue of corruption and smuggling in the country.
The intercepted containers were found to contain illicit dangerous, unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products from India. These pharmaceuticals lacked the required permits and certificates for importation and were concealed among other items in an attempt to avoid detection.
Oloyede emphasized that the customs command is committed to combating smuggling activities, given the persistent fraudulent tactics used by importers and agents. The seized containers, along with the suspects and evidence, will be handed over to the relevant regulatory agencies, and the customs service may decide to prosecute the suspects according to the Nigeria Customs Service Act.