The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a total of 100 vehicles that came into the country with fake importation documents, they were intercepted along Benin express-way, Agbor-Asaba axis and Aba/Owerri highway at different times.
15 of the seized vehicles include: latest models of Toyota Camry (bulletproof car) 2015 model without End-user Certificate, six Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, Land Cruiser VXR, Toyota Fortuner Jeep, Lexus LX 570 and M/Benz CLS 350, all 2014/2015 model worth N346,347,568.00.
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a total of 100 vehicles that came into the country with fake importation documents, they were intercepted along Benin express-way, Agbor-Asaba axis and Aba/Owerri highway at different times.
15 of the seized vehicles include: latest models of Toyota Camry (bulletproof car) 2015 model without End-user Certificate, six Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, Land Cruiser VXR, Toyota Fortuner Jeep, Lexus LX 570 and M/Benz CLS 350, all 2014/2015 model worth N346,347,568.00.
The latest record of seizures comes barely one week after the unit seized 42 different contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N197,385,747.00.
Apart from the exotic vehicles, analysis of other items seized revealed that they included: 5,364 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, which were concealed in Mercedes Benz trucks, with used Jacuzzi bathing tubes, rolls of black polythene nylon bags, and crates of woods lining the walls of the truck, to beat the eagle-eye Customs officers. The products, which were impounded on the Benin, Agbor and Bayelsa/Port-Harcourt axis in the wee hours of 13th and 14th August respectively, have a DPV of N89,338,400.00.
Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit; Comptroller Victor Dimka who disclosed the seizures at a an interaction with added that four suspects were arrested in connection with the illegally imported frozen poultry products, while and eight were arrested in connection with the smuggled vehicles.
According to him, the destruction of the imported frozen poultry products were carried out in the presence of some officials of NESREA, NAFDAC and DSS in line with the recent launched “Operation Hawk Descend”, to check the activities of smugglers of foreign frozen chicken, turkey and other poultry products by the Nigeria Customs Service.
Comptroller Dimka, also disclosed that a total of 300 bags of 50kg rice with DPV of N6,000,000. 00 was equally seized by his officers at Ikom border in Cross River State, two suspects involved in the shady deal were also arrested. According to him, “the suspects are helping the Customs in their investigations into the illegal importations of the seized items”.
The CAC, who once again denounced the rising tide of smuggling activities in the country despite the obvious consequences of the unpatriotic business, warned those still involved to desist forthwith in their own interest.
He observed that, smuggling of contraband goods has continued to damage the nation’s economy; and many families have been ruined as a result of the indulgence of some of their beloved ones in this obnoxious act
He also reminded smugglers that the Nigeria Customs Service is now better trained, equipped and motivated with necessary logistics to meet its challenges.
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