January: Customs FOU Zone A generates N80bn, seizes 6 trailers load of rice
Operatives of Federal Operations Unit Zone A of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tuesday disclosed that it bursted some new smuggling hot spots used by smugglers to carry out their nefarious acts and seized banned goods.
Customs Area Controller of the zone, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu told journalists in Ikeja that the sum of N83,141,803.60 was generated through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.
A breakdown of the include 3,653 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 6.5 trailer loads), 23,025 liters of PMS, 241, 1,490 kg of Indian Hemp, 1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste, 983 pieces of used tyres, 104 units of Haojuo motorcycles, 556 cartons of slippers, and 11 units of used vehicles.
Speaking, Ejibunu said “In a continuous and renewed vigour to fight smuggling, we activated an enhanced intelligence gathering and information sharing mechanism, and were able to identify some new smuggling hot spots and schemes employed by smugglers.
“This strategy yielded 60 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N854,156,712. The following major seizures were recorded within January 2024.
“The status of these goods was found to have contravened different sections of the Customs Act (2023), while some were expired at the time of importation; others flaunted the import statutory guidelines. A total of ten suspects were arrested in connection with some of the goods.
“The general public is encouraged to be aware of the consequences of smuggling and its harmful effects; because it is this awareness that would help to reduce the demand for smuggled goods and discourage individuals from participating in smuggling activities.
“Having established the fact that smuggling is a crime which affects the general well being of the nation; it becomes compelling for all patriotic citizens to join the enforcement and regulatory agencies to curb the menace of smuggling” he said.
