Anti-smuggling onslaught :  Customs FOU intercepts codeine, cannabis sativa, items worth over N813million

Anti-smuggling onslaught :  Customs FOU intercepts Codeine, Cannabis,  items worth over N813million

… Arrests 12 suspects

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service has unleashed its anti-smuggling onslaught against economic saboteurs in its area of coverage, as the Unit
intercepted 394 cartons of prohibited codeine syrup, 345kg of cannabis sativa and other prohibited items worth over N813miion in monetary value.

The Unit swiftly arrested 12 suspects in connection with the seized items, made in August 2023.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Unit, Compt Hussein Ejibunu, unveiled the seizures during a press briefing in Lagos.

Giving more details on activities of the Unit, the CAC informed that Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ under his supervision recorded 91 seizures worth over N813million in August 2023.

That was not all. The Unit
recovered N81.4million revenue for government on underpayment made on trade goods.

Seizures made in August 2023 included 6,911 bags of foreign Rice (equivalent to 11 truck-loads); 486 cartons of frozen poultry products;368 used tyres ; 13 vehicles; 32 cartons of expired batteries; one 40ft container; 49car rims; 552 car tyres; 205 used truck tyres and 32 motorcycle tyres;
292 bales of second-hand clothes, as well as 13,525 litres of smuggled petrol.

Speaking further, the Area Controller emphasised: “The Service remains committed towards safeguarding the nation’s economy from recalcitrant saboteurs. Our officers and men are resolute in enforcing the Customs extant laws. In enforcing these laws, dubious importers and traders are made to pay maximum duty payable through issuance of demand notices; or made to forfeit their goods to the Federal Government by way of seizing them.

“Recall that foreign tomato paste, used clothes, foreign rice, importation of vehicles through the land borders, used tyres, arms and ammunition without end-user certificates among others are items under import prohibition list. Therefore, their importation threatens our fragile economy.

“The attention of the public is hereby drawn to the dangers posed by importation of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa), due to the effect on criminally minded people and our
youths.

Also, importation of foreign rice and poultry products has adverse effects on the economy of local farmers. Smuggling of prohibited items such as used shoes, illicit drugs, used clothes and used tyres are giving serious health concerns.

“On our part, we must continue to partner with well-meaning citizens by soliciting for useful information to curb smuggling. We advise members of the public to be guided by the import and export prohibition lists for total compliance.

“The seizures recorded within the month of August 2023, have a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N813million, as mentioned earlier.

“It is sad to note that some Nigerians would pay all duties and levies payable to the Customs authorities of other countries they import from; but they make conscious efforts to evade such payments into the government coffers in Nigeria”.

The CAC expressed great pleasure on the patriotism of some Nigerians giving credible information to the Unit for anti-smuggling operations.