The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, reported that it seized contrabands worth N1.3 billion from May to June this year in Ogun State and its environs.
The Area Comptroller, Bamidele Makinde, gave this hin on Monday during a press briefing on major highlights of the Command’s operations during the two-month period, in Idiroko, a border town in Ogun State.
Specifically, the Comptroller disclosed that the Command raked in N12.8 million from importation and auction of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted at different locations and exit points to the Republic of Benin during its anti-smuggling raids during the period under review.
He explained that the cumulative estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures between May and June amounted to N1,290, 108,608.00.
Makinde clarified that through the Service’s collaboration with sister security agencies in the state, the Command’s operatives were also able to intercept illicit drugs and narcotics, including 117 small sacks, six big sacks, 1,100 wraps (book size), 81 wraps (coconut size) of cannabis sativa, and a cartoon containing 1,100 packets of Tramadol (225mg per table ×10), during their routine patrols.
In addition, the Area Comptroller further disclosed that 390 Cartons of frozen poultry products,19 bales and 104 sacks of foreign used clothes, 120 cartons of new foot wears (including 23 pairs of new slippers), 53 cartons of foreign used shoes, 122 cartons of foreign wine were seized during the period under review.
According to him, the Command also seized 72 pieces of used compressors, 10 vehicles, two foreign used vehicles, four motorcycles, 289 cartons of imported tomato paste and vehicle spare parts.
Other smuggled items he listed as seized by the Command from May to June this year were truck load of about 320 cartons (23,400 pairs) of imported foot wears, which fell under Import Prohibition List, Schedule 3 of Common External Tariff (CEF), with an estimated DPV of N764,974,800.00.
Makinde further said: “A fuel tanker suspected to contain 45,000 litres of adulterated diesel with an estimated Duty Paid Value of N81,823,200.00, was abandoned by a suspected bunkerer who absconded upon sighting our operatives along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode expressway.
“In addition, about 10,973 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, was seized and disposed of in line with extant laws”, the Area Comptroller added.
According to him, two vehicles laden with 882 bags/50g each of foreign parboiled rice were seized within Abeokuta axis, in line with sections 46 and 169, respectively of Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA, CAP C45 L.F.N.2004.
The Area Comptroller attributed the achievements to the Command’s intensified anti-smuggling operations and synergy and collaboration with sister security agencies in the state.
He thanked the sister agencies, critical stakeholders and traditional rulers for their collaborative efforts with the Command and the results achieved.
