Connect with us

Crime

Customs seizes 4 containers of N1.2bn illicit drugs in Lagos

Published

on

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has truncated an attempt by a syndicate to smuggle illicit drugs worth N1.183 billion into the country in four 40-foot containers through the Apapa Port, Lagos.

In a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Usman Abubakar, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, three of the containers were seized at AP Moller Terminal, while the seizure of 236,783 bottles of cough syrup packed in 2,174 cartons in one container was made at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

Giving further details on the seizures, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, described it as a fallout of the service zero tolerance for smuggling.

Olomu said: “On 11th of October 2024, our officers, during a joint examination of 1×40 container number MRKU0377493 found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles.

“The offensive importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.

“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1×40 container TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.

“Another 1x40ft container NO TCKU6800526 dropped at APMT Container Terminal, said to contain essential goods was examined on 15 October 2024, and after examination it was found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest, with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton.

Giving further details on the seizures, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, described it as a fallout of the service zero tolerance for smuggling.


Olomu said: “On 11th of October 2024, our officers, during a joint examination of 1×40 container number MRKU0377493 found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles.

“The offensive importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.


“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1×40 container TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.


“Another 1x40ft container NO TCKU6800526 dropped at APMT Container Terminal, said to contain essential goods was examined on 15 October 2024, and after examination it was found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest, with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton.

“At Kachicares Resources Terminal,1x40FT container NO SUDU8579006 said to contain kitchen wares was examined on October 15, 2024 and found to contain concealment of cough syrup for throat and chesty cough in 100ml.

“They were packed in 1,584 cartons. Another set of 83 loose bottles was also found in the container.

“Like I have always said, Apapa Command is committed to seamless trade facilitation powered by robust stakeholders engagement, but will not compromise on our revenue collection, anti-smuggling mandates as we facilitate trade.

“For the umpteenth time, I want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear from Apapa Port as our eagle eye officers relying on intelligence, technology and on the job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics.”

Codeine abuse has been found to cause nausea or vomiting, making addicts feel sleepy, unable to concentrate or think clearly, and behave irrationally, including exhibition of criminal tendencies.

Recall that the federal government banned the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018 following its abuse and the adverse effects it caused on many youths who got addicted to it.

These banned substances have been found to spur criminal activities and deviant behaviors capable of setting society backward.

The Area Controller has directed further investigation into the seizures to unravel further details that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.

Crime

YouTuber Johnny Somali faces 10-yr prison sentence for kissing statue in South Korea

Published

on

By

American YouTuber Johnny Somali has faced widespread criticism after a controversial video showed him kissing and posing with a statue dedicated to Korean women who were victims of sexual slavery during Japan’s occupation of Korea.

Somali’s actions, captured during his visit to the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, have ignited anger among Koreans and beyond.

In a video posted on October 9, the YouTuber was seen kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, and performing a dance in front of the memorial.

The statue honors tens of thousands of young Korean women who were subjected to forced sexual slavery by the Japanese military from 1910 to 1945.

According to The Korea Times, Somali expressed remorse for his actions in a video released by YouTube channel Jcompany on Thursday.

Standing beside the statue, he bowed and offered an apology to the Korean people: “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.”

Johnny Somali admitted that he had intended the stunt as entertainment for his American audience but now recognized his actions as disrespectful.

He concluded his apology in Korean, adding, “I’m truly sorry.”

The incident has spurred ongoing criticism, with many Koreans and others voicing their disapproval over what they see as a profound lack of cultural sensitivity and respect.

Continue Reading

Crime

Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar remanded in prison

Published

on

By

The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.

Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.

Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.

In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.

Continue Reading

Crime

Anambra LGA chairman arrested in Texas over $3.3m romance scam

Published

on

By

Franklin Nwadialo, a newly elected chairman of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra state, has been arrested in Texas, United States (US), for allegedly running a $3.3 million romance scam.

The US department of justice said in a statement that Nwadialo is facing a 14-count charge and risks a 20-year sentence if found guilty.

The federal bureau of investigation (FBI) reportedly arrested the 40-year-old LGA chairman on arrival in Texas.

He would be transferred to the Western District of Washington for arraignment.

“According to the indictment, Nwadialo used various versions of the name ‘Giovanni’ when he met his victims online on websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café,” the statement reads.

“Nwadialo used false images for his profile and typically told the victims that he was in the military and deployed overseas so he could not meet the victims in person.

“Using these personas, Nwadialo invented many reasons he needed the victims to send him money.

“In one such case in 2020, he indicated he had been fined by the military for revealing his location to the victim. He asked the victim to help him pay the $150,000 fine. In all, that victim was defrauded of at least $2.4 million.”

The US department of justice cited another instance where the accused contacted a second victim in 2019 to help move funds from US accounts to accounts controlled by him and his co-schemers.

“In this instance, Nwadialo represented that he needed the help moving money in connection with his father’s death. The victim transferred at least $330,000 to the accounts controlled by the defendant,” the department stated.

“A third victim was defrauded by Nwadialo when he told her that he was investing money for her.

“He claimed that a check she received from another victim was proceeds from her investments, and he had her “reinvest” the money in a specific cryptocurrency account that he controlled. The victim transferred at least $270,000 at Nwadialo’s direction.

“Finally, in August 2020, Nwadialo defrauded another victim who he met on an online dating site and caused this victim to transfer at least $310,000 by claiming he needed financial assistance, including help paying for his father’s funeral or his son’s school tuition.

“The 14 counts of wire fraud relate to the communications with Nwadialo and the wiring of funds from victims to the defendant and his co-schemers.”

The case is being prosecuted by Sok Jiang, an assistant United States attorney.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...