According to the Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, the N50 million bribe demanded by a smuggler involved in the importation of tramadol and other drugs to have his container released was turned down.
During a Monday press conference at the command, Tincan’s Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Adekunle Oloyede, claimed this.
He claimed that Boniface Ike, the suspect, acknowledged possession of two 40-foot containers found to be carrying drugs and valued at N550m in duty-paid proceeds.
He stated, “One of the suspects in detention, Boniface Ike, acknowledged that he is the owner (importer) of the two containers and requested to speak privately with the command.
“I gave my police the go-ahead to play along, and the request was granted in the hopes of getting crucial information from the subject. To their surprise, however, the suspect offered gratification in the amount of N50m, which, at the current currency rate of N920/$, translates to $54,330, in exchange for his release from custody and the release of the containers. In order to be presented as an exhibit, the money was gathered and maintained in secure custody at the enforcement unit.
Two individuals had been detained and were in the hands of the command’s enforcement team, Oloyede stated.
He claimed that India supplied the medicinal cartons that were seized.
According to Oloyede, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control regulated the unlicensed pharmaceutical products that were seized.
He stated once more that the medications lacked the necessary import licences and certificates.
He declared that the organizations in charge of regulating such importation would receive the suspects, containers, and exhibit.
