Barely 49 days after his resumption of office as the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja Lagos, Mr .Emmanuel Kane (a Comptroller) has disclosed that the command seized assorted consignments with duty paid value of about N295Milliion.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Kane disclosed that it comprises of 110 seizures of general goods; including textiles, garments, used tyres, used clothing, used shoes, hand bags, rice, vegetable oil, and others; all with duty paid value of N251,024,289,00,
The seizures also included 60 vehicles with duty paid value of N29, 312,000 and a Mazda bus with registration number Ogun AJ693AAB which was seized at Olorunda axis. The bus was fully loaded with cannabis (Indian hemp) concealed with vegetables.
The controller gave the total value of the cannabis as almost N15Million, even as he added that investigation is on going to ascertain the identity of the owners of the vehicle.
He disclosed that 40 arrests were made in connection with the seizures, adding however that 37 of those arrested have been released on bail, while three are still being held. Eight of the cases are pending in the court.
Disclosing further, he added that the command also recorded 156 detentions comprising of 32 units of 40- foot containers, eight units of 20- foot containers and 43 means of conveyance. “Some have been released after assessment, investigation and proper revenue also collected where necessary”, he stated.
Advising against smuggling, Kane stressed that the act is not only detrimental to the economy but also dangerous to the individual smuggler.
However, the area controller warned smugglers to desist from their activities for peace and sanity to reign or face the wrath of his officers who he said have the ability to deliver as far as anti-smuggling activities are concerned.
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