Customs Seizes N873m Worth Of Smuggled Rice, 13 Tokunbo Vehicles In One Month

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of 9 trucks load of foreign parboiled rice, 13 foreign used vehicles smuggled into the country from neighboring Benin Republic.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controllers, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Acting Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, said 18,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 376 bales of used clothes were also seized in November, 2023.

LEADERSHIP gathered that other contraband seized are 1,926 cartons of frozen poultry products; 337 pieces of used compressors; 3 by 40 ft containers found to contain 3,838 pieces of used tyres.

Others are, 13 used fairly used vehicles also known as tokunbo and 396 cartons of frozen fish all with a Duty Paid Value (DPV), of N873million

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Ejibunu, however, disclosed that his officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander with an ingenious concealment of suspected bags of foreign parboiled rice in Ogun State.

He said, “Ingenious concealment is an activity that plays a significant role in smuggling operations. It allows smugglers to hide illicit goods from detection by concerned authorities. It is important to note that smuggling is illegal and a crime that has negative social, economic, and security implications.

“It is our resolve to continuously work hard to improve detection methods with the aid of intelligence. The strategic deployment of officers with intelligence-driven in anti-smuggling operations led to the arrest of a Toyota Highlander with an ingenious concealment of suspected bags of foreign parboiled rice at Iju-Ojuore , Ogun State.

“These seizures reflect our commitment to the discharge of our functions; aimed at protecting the nation’s economy and preventing the importation of prohibited and harmful products from entering our domestic markets. 

Other goods that were seized within November are; 5,459 bags of 50kg bags of foreign bags of rice (equivalent to 9 truck loads; 18,100 litres of premium motor spirit; 376 bales of used clothes; 1,926 cartons of frozen poultry products and 337 pieces of used compressors.

Also seized are 3 by 40 ft containers found to contain 3,838 pieces of used tyres; 13 used vehicles also known as tokunbo; 396 cartons of frozen fish.

Ejibunu, further stated that N71.2million was generated through demand notices on consignment that paid lesser duties at the Lagos Port.

“On revenue, the sum of N71,254,984.71 was generated through conscious and thorough documentary checks, followed by the issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duty.

“The total duty paid value of the seized goods stood at N872,575,250. While a total of 11 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the suspects. Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods can have a chance of successfully trafficking illegal goods across borders or checkpoints without being noticed. This calls for the collaborative efforts of all citizens to support the Service by providing useful and timely information that would aid the anti-smuggling drive,” he stated.