Customs, NDLEA Collaborate to Check Cross Border Smuggling at Seme
Oramalugo during a visit to the Royal father in Badagry..
*Customs facilitates N7.8bn exports, collects ₦743.7m revenue in February
By Our Reporter
The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have declared their determination to tackle the menace of cross border smuggling activities at Seme, Badagry, Lagos.
The two organisations and other security agencies held a conference at Badagry on Thursday specifically on how to collaborate on addressing all forms of smuggling activities at the border.
To address the issue, the agencies promised to improve on joint patrols, joint task forces, and other stringent regulations to check the activities of smugglers.
Speaking during the event, the Controller of Customs, Seme, Dr. Ben Oramalugo said the joint effort is seen as a critical step in not only protecting the economy but also ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens in the region.
“As cross-border smuggling continues to evolve, authorities remain committed to evolving their strategies and adapting to emerging threats in this ongoing battle.
“The collaborative efforts discussed in this conference underscore the importance of collective action to protect national interests and combat illegal trade across borders.
“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage and the Seme Area command is fully prepared to track down arrest, and prosecute offenders.
“I strongly advise all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine our country’s economy.
“We are committed to dismantling drug networks operating along our borders. Cannabis trafficking is linked to organized crime, and we are working with regional partners to break these supply chains”.
Meanwhile, the Seme Customs Command said it has facilitated over 28,000 metric tonnes of goods equivalent to 806 trucks with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N7,852,172,249.00k for exports.
The Customs Area Command, Service, also said that the sum of ₦743,728,652.16k was collected as revenue for the month of February.
According to him, some items worth millions of Naira were also seized.
He identified the items as 444 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana), 181 packs of tramadol, 600 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,809 bags of smuggled rice (50kg each). Others are 240 kegs of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) and 17 sacks of used shoes, 56 bales of used clothes, and 203 pieces of used tyres. The total Duty Paid Value (DV) of the seizures is N267,054,172.00k only”.
He said that so far there has been redeployment of officers for enhanced border surveillance.
By Our Reporter
The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have declared their determination to tackle the menace of cross border smuggling activities at Seme, Badagry, Lagos.
The two organisations and other security agencies held a conference at Badagry on Thursday specifically on how to collaborate on addressing all forms of smuggling activities at the border.
To address the issue, the agencies promised to improve on joint patrols, joint task forces, and other stringent regulations to check the activities of smugglers.
Speaking during the event, the Controller of Customs, Seme, Dr. Ben Oramalugo said the joint effort is seen as a critical step in not only protecting the economy but also ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens in the region.
“As cross-border smuggling continues to evolve, authorities remain committed to evolving their strategies and adapting to emerging threats in this ongoing battle.
“The collaborative efforts discussed in this conference underscore the importance of collective action to protect national interests and combat illegal trade across borders.
“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage and the Seme Area command is fully prepared to track down arrest, and prosecute offenders.
“I strongly advise all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine our country’s economy.
“We are committed to dismantling drug networks operating along our borders. Cannabis trafficking is linked to organized crime, and we are working with regional partners to break these supply chains”.
Meanwhile, the Seme Customs Command said it has facilitated over 28,000 metric tonnes of goods equivalent to 806 trucks with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N7,852,172,249.00k for exports.
The Customs Area Command, Service, also said that the sum of ₦743,728,652.16k was collected as revenue for the month of February.
According to him, some items worth millions of Naira were also seized.
He identified the items as 444 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana), 181 packs of tramadol, 600 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,809 bags of smuggled rice (50kg each). Others are 240 kegs of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) and 17 sacks of used shoes, 56 bales of used clothes, and 203 pieces of used tyres. The total Duty Paid Value (DV) of the seizures is N267,054,172.00k only”.
He said that so far there has been redeployment of officers for enhanced border surveillance.
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