The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has seized goods worth N1.2billion.
The seized items include 17 exotic vehicles, 13 trailer load of rice, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp and 14,825litres of premium motor spirit (pms) .
The Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Kehinde, who announced the seizures said other items are 39 bales 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.
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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, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, is sustaining its resolve to protect Nigeria’s economy by enforcing all anti-smuggling laws in an uncompromising manner.
While noting this challenge, he said the Customs has fully deployed improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir A Adeniyi.
The Customs, he said, has also provided support for officers with strategic manpower placements to achieve ongoing drive to suppress smuggling.
He announced that his Unit would continue to sustain the strategy adopted in checking those who chose to circumvent the trade laws.
He said; “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, he noted, the unit is 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.
A total of 17 vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment.
The CAC restated that the ban on vehicle importation through land borders still subsists.
He announced also that 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.
