The Federal Operating Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intercepted various contraband being smuggled into the country, with duty paid value (DPV) of N334, 042, 396.08,.
The Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday said that the intercepted goods include: 6,356 bags of 50 kilograms of imported rice, 2,495 cartons of poultry products, 13 vehicles and 384 parcels of 232kilograms of Indian Hemp.
Other items according to him are two 40-foot containers stuffed with 4,982 pieces of used tyres, one 40- foot container loaded with 170 cartons of pistons ring compressors, another 40-foot container loaded with logs of unprocessed rough wood for export, batteries and many others.
He noted that the combination of the DPV and the revenue recovered amounted to a cumulative amount collected by the unit to N607,717,535.55 between April and middle of June. He also said that 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
The thanked the management team of the Service led by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), for its encouragement and recognition of hard-work while also commended officers and men of the unit for their dedication to duty which resulted in seizures.
Mohammed urged those still involved in smuggling to turn a new leaf as the unit is ready to tackle them to ensure that such illegal imports are brought to the barest minimum because of the effect of smuggling on the economy of the nation, he concluded.
The seizure is coming just few weeks after Comptroller Mohammed Uba, assumed office as the new Controller in charge of the command.
Speaking during the handover of the seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Comptroller Mohammed also maintained that smuggling is a global phenomenon which cannot be curbed entirely but be brought to the barest minimum.
He also disclosed that the Indian Hemp which was concealed in second hand clothes were intercepted along Iyana-Ipaja in Lagos.
While taking possession of the Indian hemp, the head Enforcement Lagos state command of NDLEA, Mr Lawal Isiaka promised that his command will work with customs to ensure that smuggling is a thing of the past.
He also promised that the suspects will soon be charged to court.
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