Smuggling on sea : Western Marine Customs on red alert, intercepts N923.8million contraband

Smuggling on sea :
Western Marine Customs on red alert, intercepts N923.8million contraband

… Steps up patrol surveillance on creeks, waterways

As commercial activities increase during the ember months, the
Western Marine Command (WMC) of Nigeria Customs Services is currently on red alert to thwart nefarious activities of die-hard smugglers on creeks and waterways. As such, the Command has stepped up security surveillance across the waterways within its area of responsibility.

This operational strategy has yielded significant results, as the Command
successfully intercepted contraband worth N923,794,000 (approximately N923.8million), from August to October 2023.

The seizures include 1,199 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol; 1,257 bags of foreign rice; 3,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), among other items.

According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Western Marine Command, Compt Odaudu Salefu, some of the items were intercepted at Moba waterways and Sanki Beach Axis through intelligence.

He said : “In accordance with its primary mandate outlined in Section 4 of NCS Act 2023, the Command executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities, resulting in the arrest and seizure of illegal goods mentioned above”.

Also, Compt Salefu emphasised the need for the public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions and restrictions.

He explained that these measures are put in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth and contribute to the overall prosperity of the Nigerian nation.

More so, it is noteworthy to state that in August 2023, the Command seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), which were promptly handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on September 7, 2023, for further investigation, to unravel the syndicate behind it.