The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, intercepted 394 cartons of codeine syrup, 345kg of cannabis sativa and other illicit items that fall under the import prohibition list worth N813,058,345 in August.
While briefing newsmen at the unit’s headquarters on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, the Acting Comptroller in charge of the unit, DC Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed that a total of 91 seizures were recorded within the period under review and 12 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Among other seizures are 6,911 x 50kg bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (over 11 truck-loads), 486 cartons of frozen poultry products, 13 used vehicles (Tokunbo vehicles), and 32 cartons of expired batteries.
Others are 1 X 40 ft container FTC, one used Toyota Corolla, 49 pieces of car rims, 552 pieces of car used tyres, 205 pieces of used truck tyres and 32 pieces of motorcycle tyres, 292 bales of Used Clothes, 13,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The Ag. Comptroller drew the attention of the public to the dangers of Indian hemp on the youths and the effect of smuggling on the economy.
He said, “The attention of the public is hereby drawn to the dangers posed by the importation of Indian Hemp because of its effect on criminal-minded people and our youths”.
“Similarly, the importation of foreign parboiled rice and poultry products is an adversary to the economy of the local farmers”.
“Smuggling of prohibited items such as used shoes, illicit drugs, used clothes and used tyres are giving serious health concerns”, he noted.
He assured of the unit’s commitment to continue to work with Nigerians with useful informations to curb smuggling.
“On our part, we shall continue to partner with well-meaning citizens by soliciting for timely and useful information to curb smuggling. While we advise members of the public to be guided by the Import and Export Prohibition lists for compliance”, he noted.
On revenue recovery, Ejibunu noted that the sum of N81,449,373.38 was made through documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.
He appreciated the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the supply of logistics for the evacuation of seizures.
“We are expressing our gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the additional logistics supply of two (2) trucks for the evacuation of seizures and a towing truck”, he said.
“The provision of these additional logistics has eased our operations”, he concluded.
