The Nigeria Customs Service ((NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’ in Owerri said it has intercepted a truck loaded with suspected adulterated diesel product.
The truck with registration number GBB 85 XA was intercepted on December 4,along Aba-Owerri road.
According to the Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, the product was discovered to have been hidden in a specially constructed tank for illegal bunkering and also concealed with 256 sacks of expired animal feeds to evade arrest.
The seized adulterated petroleum product causes blockages of heavy duty machines and generators, which equally emit hazardous carbon monoxide, that are detrimental to the health.
Comptroller Mohammed who disclosed this while briefing newsmen, in Owerri , also said that a suspect ; Chibuzor Njoku was arrested in connection with the crime and would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution.
Comptroller Mohammed also disclosed that, said that a 40-foot container loaded with 1,017 sacks of 50kg cannabis (Indian hemp) was intercepted on the Benin-Shagamu road also on the 7th of this month.
According to him, the only suspect, one James idoko who claimed to be a student attempted to deceive the Customs men by fraudulently presenting copies of suspected fake customs processed document on importation which was contrary to what was contained in the container.
The suspect reportedly offered a bribe of N350,000.00 in an attempt to avoid arrest, the Controller added that the suspect is currently in custody with the bribe, which now serves as an exhibit along with the container load of cannabis.
He noted that, “consumption of cannabis also affects family relationship and we must fight it to the last so as to have a better society,” he stated.
Furthermore, Comptroller Mohammed said that a MAN diesel truck with registration number KRV 238 XB carrying 725 different brand of 50 kg foreign rice with Duty Paid Value of N24,650,000. 00 suspected to have been smuggled into the country through the numerous creeks in Calabar/Cameroun border was similarly intercepted by his men on the 7th of this month.
He said that a suspect who gave his name as Mr. Fredrick Eze and claimed to be a representative of the owners of the exhibit was arrested.
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