Customs Intercepts N8bn Smuggled Petrol, Rice, Vehicles, Others

Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) interceptied contrabands worth N8 billion in July, 2024.

At a press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, the customs area controller (CAC) of the unit, Kola Oladeji, said 14 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

According to him, the seizures include 6,168 pieces of donkey skin weighing 29,606 kg; 37,630 sachets of Tramadol of 250mg; 11,820 pieces of new machetes; 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 978 kg of Cannabis sativa. Others are 1,145 cartons of poultry products; 15 units of imported vehicles; 257 bales of used clothes and 11,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

“I can boldly say that the smugglers’ desperation is being confronted with our resistance, causing us to seize their wares and arrest the suspects. On this, we shall remain unrelenting and uncompromising.

For emphasis, these acts of smuggling undermine our national security, economic development and social well-being of all citizens. We are not unaware of smugglers’ antics to evade duty payments and sometimes attempt to circumvent the law by bringing items that fall under import and export prohibition.

“In the month of July 2024, our reinvigorated anti-smuggling drive had resulted in the arrest of 14 male suspects. Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures worth a Total Duty Paid Value of N 8.09billion

A breakdown of the seizures is as follows, 6,168 pieces of donkey skin weighing 29,606 kg; 37,630 sachets of Tramadol of 250mg; 11,820 pieces of new machetes; 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 978 kg of Cannabis sativa.

Others are 1,145 cartons of poultry products; 15 units of imported vehicles; 257 bales of used clothes and 11,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

According to Compt. Oladeji, the unit also recovered N133.69 million from importers that under-declared their cargoes at seaports in the Western zone.

He also disclosed that the unit uncovered another antics smugglers are using to smuggle drugs into the country from neighbouring Benin Republic.

“On revenue recovery, for the Month of July 2024, the sum of N 133.6 million was generated through documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices (DN) on consignments that were found to have been short-paid. The entire amount had been paid into the Federation account accordingly.

“While the federal government is committed to ensuring the availability of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as Petrol to Nigerians, some Smugglers are bent on taking the products to other Countries for their selfish gains. For the avoidance of doubt, this category of smugglers have us to contend with.

“We have disposed off the 11,700 Litres of PMS through open auctions due to the volatility of the product after approval from our Headquarters. The proceeds realised from the Auctions had been paid into the Federation Account accordingly.

“Our Unit has uncovered a new method of distribution of these prohibited drugs. The Smugglers are now using smaller vehicles for the distribution. Based on credible intelligence, we are able to intercept 35,630 sachets of Tramadol along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Also, the Cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) was intercepted along the same Expressway.

“For the seizure of Tramadol and Cannabis sativa, we are going to hand them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action in line with extant regulations and in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration.”

The Compt. also disclosed that revenue generated by the command in July 2024 increased by 245 per cent compared to July 2023.

“Comparing the month of July, 2023 with July, 2024, the revenue generated increased by N 96.08million at 245 per cent increase. Our interceptions rose from 50 seizures in July, 2023 to 70 seizures in July, 2024 with a DPV difference of N 7.63billon at a 1,750 per cent increase.

“As we are approaching the close of 2024, I want to once again urge Nigerians to shun smuggling and avoid being lured into crimes because of their inordinate quest for wealth.

“We are calling on all stakeholders like Traditional Rulers, Faith-based organisations, Youth leaders and Organised business groups to sensitise their members against smuggling. We also implore Traders and Customs Clearing Agents to be making honest declarations and ensure that duty payments are made, so as to avoid consequences of alternative actions,” he warned.