Customs Seizes 17 Exotic Vehicles, 13 Trailer Load of Rice, Others Valued at N1.2bn
COMPTROLLER eJIBUNU
By Our Reporter
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday announced seizures of different goods worth N1.2bn.
Among the items were 17 vehicles, 13 trailers load of rice, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp and 14,825litres of premium motor spirit (pms) .
The Controller of the Unit, DC Hussein Kehinde, announced other items seized as 39bales of second hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.
Kehinde also disclosed that nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
He also said that the Unit recovered the sum of N115. 456 million through the issuance of demand notices to importers who under-paid.
According to him, “As I have always stated, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A is sustaining its resolve to protect the Nigeria’s economy by enforcing the anti-smuggling laws in an uncompromising manner. Just as intelligence reports gathered over the years indicated a higher degree of desperation by economic saboteurs to smuggle during the yuletide periods.
“While noting this challenge, we have fully deployed the improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir A Adeniyi; provided support for our officers with strategic manpower placements to achieve our ongoing drive to suppress smuggling.”
He averred that his Unit will continue to sustain the strategy adopted in checking those who chose to circumvent the trade laws.
He added, “Before reeling out the list of seizures which amounts to N1,241,777,700 in duty paid value, I want to state that this Unit of the Service under my watch will make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers in the interest of our country.
“We are ready to intercept them and frustrate their antics of concealment, illegal route
passage, false declaration and under declaration. In addition, we are also determined to implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the various penalties attached to offences while striving to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
“We were able to seize a total of 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers. This amounts to almost thirteen trailer loads of rice. A total of 17 vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. For the avoidance of doubts, let me state
again that the ban on vehicle importation through land borders subsists.
“Our officers also intercepted 593 jerrycans (14,825litres) of premium motor spirit. Because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed of them in line with laid down due process. Other seizures include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39bales of second hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.”
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday announced seizures of different goods worth N1.2bn.
Among the items were 17 vehicles, 13 trailers load of rice, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp and 14,825litres of premium motor spirit (pms) .
The Controller of the Unit, DC Hussein Kehinde, announced other items seized as 39bales of second hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.
Kehinde also disclosed that nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
He also said that the Unit recovered the sum of N115. 456 million through the issuance of demand notices to importers who under-paid.
According to him, “As I have always stated, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A is sustaining its resolve to protect the Nigeria’s economy by enforcing the anti-smuggling laws in an uncompromising manner. Just as intelligence reports gathered over the years indicated a higher degree of desperation by economic saboteurs to smuggle during the yuletide periods.
“While noting this challenge, we have fully deployed the improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir A Adeniyi; provided support for our officers with strategic manpower placements to achieve our ongoing drive to suppress smuggling.”
He averred that his Unit will continue to sustain the strategy adopted in checking those who chose to circumvent the trade laws.
He added, “Before reeling out the list of seizures which amounts to N1,241,777,700 in duty paid value, I want to state that this Unit of the Service under my watch will make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers in the interest of our country.
“We are ready to intercept them and frustrate their antics of concealment, illegal route
passage, false declaration and under declaration. In addition, we are also determined to implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the various penalties attached to offences while striving to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
“We were able to seize a total of 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers. This amounts to almost thirteen trailer loads of rice. A total of 17 vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. For the avoidance of doubts, let me state
again that the ban on vehicle importation through land borders subsists.
“Our officers also intercepted 593 jerrycans (14,825litres) of premium motor spirit. Because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed of them in line with laid down due process. Other seizures include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39bales of second hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.”
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