Customs FOU Zone A bust smuggling cartel, seizes over N3bn worth of goods
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A in Ikeja has made a major breakthrough in dislodging smuggling routes and cartels in the western part of the country with the interception of over 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a cost estimate otherwise called Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion.
It disclosed that it equally recovered the sum of N728.98 million revenue while carrying out enforcement operations targeted at eliminating smuggling, revenue evasion and other fraudulent activities by fraudsters.
The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu said confiscated items include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads.
Other are 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; and 240,000 tablets of Tramadol.
The rest included 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled goods.
Aliyu described the revenue recovery as encouraging, saying the Unit would intensify efforts to identify and recover government revenue lost through customs fraud.
He urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations.
He said, “The Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.”
The Customs boss said the interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods would help protect domestic industries, support national food security and safeguard legitimate government revenue.
According to him, the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances would help protect public health and prevent the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians.
He also said the recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.
Aliyu emphasised that the Unit’s enforcement activities were being carried out within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation.
He attributed the successes recorded during the period to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.
He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud and other forms of economic sabotage.
The NCS, through FOU Zone A, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.
The Unit also appreciated the support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute to its enforcement efforts.
Source: Blueprint
