The anti- smuggling measures of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone 'C', Owerri has continued to yield results. The latest is the seizure of assorted contraband with an overall Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N281,258,822 and N25,356,397.00 underpayment recovered.
Already, 32 suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal business, while 21 cases are now in courts.
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Victor Dimka, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while showcasing the seized items at the premises of the Customs in Owerri and Benin, respectively, explained that the seizures which were made between the 30th of September and 9th of November at various places with the zone, were as a result of the renewed vigour of the officers and men of the unit and the support of some sister agencies.
He listed the items to include: 325 bales of second hand clothing with a DPV of N41,570,000.00; 526 pieces of foreign used tyres with a DPV of N3,156,000.00; 100 cartons of rubber slippers which had a DPV of N41,320,000.00 and three vehicles with a DPV of N5,659,125.00, which were all recorded within the Owerri axis.
Additionally, the FOU Zone 'C' Controller said that, apart from the seizures at Owerri, 46 vehicles with a DPV of N222,287,855.00; three vehicles with a DPV of N3,517,842.00 and 40 bags of 50kg rice with a DPV of N748,000.00 , were equally made in Benin, Calabar and Enugu accordingly.
Comptroller Dimka also disclosed that the latest feat was accomplished by the combined efforts of officers and men of the unit whom he described as being irrevocably determined to see that smugglers, their sponsors and collaborators are apprehended and brought to book.
He reiterated that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali Ibrahim (Rtd.) has zero tolerance for corruption and is poised to ensure that maximum revenue is collected for the nation.
He also assured that the Customs would continue to strengthen her collaboration with all sister agencies including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police Force, DSS, Nigeria Civil Defence, NAFDAC and FRSC as the CGC is currently doing, until the battle against smuggling is won.
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