The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service, has seized goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N1.46 Billon between March 19th and April 9th, 2018. It also arrested 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday while showcasing some of the seized goods, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, said that the unit also recovered N 166, 207, 735.25 from duty payments and demand notices on general goods from seaports, airports and border stations. The fees were paid as a result of wrong classification, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payments meant for the federal government.
Giving details of the seizures, the Controller said that the goods included:Indian Hemp, 64 Exotic Vehicles, 6,003 bags of foreign parboiled rice which according to him is equivalent to 10 trailers, 963 cartons of frozen poultry products, 431 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 163 bales of used clothing, 569 pieces of used tyres, 69bags of sugar and four containers.
Compt. Uba also disclosed that the seized 570 parcels and 98 sacks of Indian Hemp( Cannabis Sativa) weighing 1, 550kg was intercepted along Olorunda axis of Ogun state, even as he added that the seizure is the highest seizure of such hard drug in the history of the unit.
“These Indian hemp was the highest seizure of such hard drugs in the history of the command.
“Such a drug will have negative effects on consumers if it escapes to the public.
“In the spirit of inter-agency relationship, the seized Indian hemp will be handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation,” Garba said.
"Among the seizures was the interception of 570 parcels and 98 sacks of Indian Hemp weighing 1,550kg, along Olorunda axis of Ogun state based on intelligence making it the highest seizure of such hard drugs in the history of the FOU A", he stated.
He also said that the unit evacuated 2,671 bags of 50kg rice using nine hired trucks from makeshift warehouses in Ilogbo, Abeokuta.
"There was a mob attack against our operatives, but that never deterred us from performing our statutory responsibilities. Thank God there was no casualty” he told journalists.
He also said that four containers, 3×40ft and 1×20 were seized for different customs breaches in the importation process.
"The 1×20ft container number: CSNU 106087/4 carried 2, 269 cartoons of Gonca Spaghetti made in Turkey and 530 package of Riffle energy drink made in Europe as against the baking powder declared in the SGD. Further investigation revealed that the container was never exited, we are still investigating the all those found culpable will face the full wrath of the law"
"While 1×40ft container number: PCIU 865957/1 was seized for carrying 200 cartons of ladies shoes, 134 cartons of children among other items as against keyboard and mouse declared in the SGD. 1×40ft container number: FCIU 80992/0 was seized for carrying 2300 cartons of Tiffany chocolate, 385 cartons of Tiffany crunch in cream biscuit as against, Taplet for fuel pump which was declared. These are clear cases of false declaration liable to seizure and forfeiture to the federal government"
He also warned smugglers to desist from such trade malpractice and invest in legitimate businesses.
"Let me warn all smugglers/intending ones and their accomplices to desist from such trade and invest their money in legitimate businesses, as the unit has devised other operational modalities that will give them a run for their money, count their loses and finally end in jail. 10 suspects were arrested in connection to these 86 seizures"
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