Friday, November 19, 2010

From Iran: Customs intercept container of heroin at Tin-Can port

From Iran: Customs intercept container of heroin at Tin-Can port

By Godwin Oritse & Ifeyinwa Obi
LAGOS—Nigerian Customs Service has intercepted a large quantity of heroin concealed in a 40-foot container, which was believed to have originated from Iran. The container which was brought into the Tin-can Island Port was concealed among machine parts.
According to the Area Comptroller of Customs Mr. Austin Warikoru, the vessel, MD Montenegro, brought the container into the port yesterday evening and was intercepted by his men based on intelligence  information.
He said: “We got wind of the container based on advance information and we decided to carry out inspection on the container. We discovered a large quantity of heroin concealed inside it together machine parts made of cog wheel.
“The quantity of the heroin is not yet ascertained as we are still conducting  investigations and carrying out  inspection.”
He also stated that the  importer is not yet known as the container was not yet declared and no documentation had  been made on the container.
He said: “We are yet to uncover the person behind this, but I am sure before we conclude investigations,  we must unmask the person or persons involved.
“The goods originated from Iran and the last destination port of the vessel is Nigeria. So the question of the container being on transit is ruled out.”
Warikoru further said that the vessel arrived the port last Tuesday.
Also confirming the interception of the large quantity of hard drugs at the Tin-Can Island Port, Customs spokesman, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said that about ten wraps of heroine each weighing 112kg had been off-loaded from the container.
It was also gathered that CMA-CGM, the shipping company that brought in the 13 containers of arms and ammunition intercepted recently at the Apapa Port, also brought the heroine-laden  container.

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