Customs Impounds 11 Trucks Of Smuggled Rice, Petrol Worth N813m

The Federal Operations Unit, (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 11 trucks of foreign parboiled rice, 13,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol worth N813 million

While the PMS was on the verge of being smuggled out of the country, the foreign parboiled rice were intercepted while being smuggled into the country through the land borders.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, during the press briefing to announce seizures made in August, 2023, the acting Customs Area Controller, FOU, Zone A, deputy Compt. Hussein Ejibunu, said the unit recovered N81.45 million from fraudulent importers who short changed the government through under-payment of duty.

Ejibunu further bemoaned the continued smuggling of the contrabands on the nation’s economy, saying 394 cartons of codeine syrup, 6,911 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice; 345 kg of Indian Hemp and 486 cartons of frozen poultry products were seized in the month under review.

Other seizures are, 368 pieces of used tyres; 13 used vehicles; 32 cartons of expired batteries; 1 X 40 ft container FTC one used Toyota Corolla; 49 pieces of car rims; 552 pieces of car used tyres; 205 pieces of used truck tyres and 32 pieces of motorcycle tyres; 292 bales of Used Clothes and 13,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

He said, “In demonstrating the commitment of the service towards safeguarding the nation’s economy from recalcitrant saboteurs; officers and men of the Unit have remained resolute in enforcing the Customs extant laws. While enforcing these laws, dubious importers and traders were either made to pay the maximum duty payable, through the issuance of demand notices or made to forfeit their goods to the federal government by way of seizing them.”

“You may recall that foreign tomato paste, used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, importation of vehicles through the land borders, used tyres, arms and ammunition without end-user certificates among others, are items that fall under the import prohibition list; their importation threatens our fragile economy.”

“91 seizures were recorded within the month of August with 12 suspects in connection with some of the seizures. Worthy of note is the fact that apart from the cartons of codeine syrup we showcased during the last press briefing, additional cartons of the product were again intercepted making a total of 394 cartons seized within the period under review.”

“On revenue recovery, the sum of N81,449,373.38 was made through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.”

The Customs CAC further warned against the Importation of cannabis sativa, saying it encourages crime in the society

“The attention of the public is hereby drawn to the dangers posed by the importation of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) because of its effect on criminal minded people and our youths. Similarly, the importation of foreign parboiled rice and poultry products is an adversary to the economy of the 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 shall continue to partner with well-meaning citizens by soliciting for timely and useful information to curb smuggling. While we advise members of the public to be guided by the Import and Export Prohibition Lists for compliance. These seizures recorded within the month of August 2023, have a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of N813,058,345. 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, while they make conscious efforts to evade such payments into the federal government coffers.

“On revenue recovery, the sum of N81,449,373.38 was made through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.”