The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, says 43 smuggled goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.1 billions has been seized within 15 days at various locations of the state.
The Command’s Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim, made the disclosure during a news conference on Thursday in Idiroko.
He said the seizures were made possible through intelligence- driven, dedicated, vigilant and courageous officers within 15 days of his resumption to the Ogun 1 command.
The Comptroller also attributed the remarkable progress and key achievements to collaboration of the command to sister agencies.
“It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the NCS strong commitment to safeguarding the national security,promoting economic stability, and protecting the health of the citizens.
“However, these achievements were made possible under the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi.” he said.
Ibrahim warned economic saboteurs who may wish to test the resolve, adding that the command under his watch would not tolerate any form of economic sabotage.
The Comptroller reiterated commitment to deploy all lawful means to combating smuggling and enforcement with extant trade laws and regulations and our approach would be formed and fair.
He said that a patrol team, acting on precise intelligence, intercepted three trucks, on Oct.2, at about 4.30 a.m.
Ibrahim reveled that after the examination, the three trucks were discovered to be conveying prohibited items.
He said that the first truck, with registration no.MSW-232-XA, was found to contain 2,740 cartons of foreign Siddo pasta concealed with 500 cartons of Oki Condense Milk.
The Comptroller added that the first truck, with registration no.TFA -674-XA, contained 6,000 foreign Ginny pasta, while the third truck, with registration no.KMC-702-ZR, was found to be conveying 6,500 foreign Dogs pasta.
He said that on Oct.4, at about 1.34 a.m., along Admin Dangote -Itori axis, the command also intercepted a truck, with registration no.FZE-552-DA, conveying 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice, concealed in Mica and Gypsum stones.
Ibrahim said the command’s efforts on border security and public health,on Oct 11, the patrol team intercepted a 10 tyres truck marked AKL-456-XL, where 321 pieces of Army camouflage face caps.
Another 27,831 types of different unregistered drugs like codeine cough syrup, injections, eye drops and supplements without NAFDAC number,were also seized after thorough physical examination of the vehicle.
The Comptroller said “these seizures of large consignments of unwholesome medicaments and restricted military camouflage caps may appear vastly different but both represent severe threats to the national security, public safety, and human well being.
He, however, listed other seizures made to include:4,013 cannabis sativa,1 wrap of cannabis loud,950 litres in kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),660 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50kg each and four bundles of used pneumatic tyres,
Also,106 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,320 pieces of smuggled new shoes,252 pieces of imported face caps and 1,250 foreign parboiled rice.
Other seizures include 13 units of foreign used vehicle, 1 unit of Hyundai Tucson 2008 model, 3 units of used CRV Jeep, and 2013 model,1 unit of used Venza 2019 model.
1 unit of Lexus Jeep LX600,2002 model, 1 unit of used Toyota Camry XLE 2013 model, 1 unit of Avenue Verso 2006, 1 unit of Peugeot 406,2002 model.
Other vehicles intercepted include unit of Galaxy 2009 model and 1 unit of Nissan Almera 2006 model.
The Comptroller said that the DPV of the seizures stands at N3.153 billions, a clear testament to the command zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and economic sabotage. (NAN)
