The Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it rejected the N50m bribe offered by a smuggler involved in the importation of tramadol and other drugs for his container release.
The Customs Area Comptroller of Tincan, Adekunle Oloyede, said this on Monday while addressing journalists at the command.
He said that the suspect, Boniface Ike, accepted ownership of two 40-foot containers arrested carrying drugs with the duty paid value of N550m.
He added that the money brought by the suspect would be tendered as an exhibit.
“One of the suspects in custody, Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner (importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with the command. I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted with expectations of receiving vital information from the suspect. But to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50m which is equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920/$. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit to be tendered as an exhibit”, Oloyede said.
He added that a total of two suspects were arrested and are currently in the custody of the enforcement unit of the command.
He said that the seized containers of pharmaceuticals were coming from India.
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