Customs Stops Illegal Export Of 11 Containers Of Timbers At Lagos Port

The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, Intercepted 11 Containers loaded with timber and unprocessed woods worth $296,000 on the verge of being smuggled out of Nigeria

LEADERSHIP reports that the particulars of the 11 containers with the contraband are, TRLU9354677; MRKU9991028; MSKUS051480; MRKU7071648; TCLU2179830; TCLU2179830; MSKUS894593 and MSKUS051480.

Others are, MRKU7071648; TCLU2543324. MSKU3929849; MSKUS894593, GAOU2550990; MSKU7323470 and MSKUS953248.

However, speaking to journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Compt. Jibola Odusanya, said the illegal export was Intercepted at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024.

He said, “acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.

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“A total of 11 units of 20ft containers fully laden with Rough/Sawn Timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to have a market value of $295,944.00. The LEXC on November 1, 2024 scheduled the suspected containers for hundred percent physical examination and they were found to contain raw and processed timber which contravene Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff.”

“Going by the provisions of Sections 148,149 and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 the detained containers are hereby being converted to seizures.”

Compt. Olusanya, however, said that the seizure will serve as a deterrent to any person or exporter planning to smuggle restricted items out of the country.

“I reiterate that we have a resolve not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation as we shall always prevent the export of any consignment that runs in conflict with the laws of our country.”

“While we are yet to apprehend the culprits behind this criminal act, we expect these seizures to serve as a deterrent to any person or export trader planning to perpetuate similar offence. I assure that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone that dares our resolve.

“This further underscores the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export. It goes further to confirm our alertness with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export.”

“I want to use this opportunity to, once again, urge our Small, Medium and Large-scale exporters to take advantage of our easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the federal government to encourage export trade. We shall continue to engage our partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024.”