Customs Arrests 10 Smugglers, Seizes N579.4m Falsely Declared Contraband
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Lagos has seized 40feet container laden with vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice, falsely declared as used vehicles as well as other contraband valued at N579.4million.
The service noted that 10 smugglers were arrested in connection with the seizures made within August 2022 at Idi-Roko, Oyo Axis, Seme Road, Ijebu-Ode Road and the ports corridors.
It also intercepted 20 drums of Calcium Carbide smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries.
The service also in its efforts to prevent loss of government revenue to duty underpayments, undervaluation of imported items and wrong Harmonised System (HS) code classification recovered a total of N46.3million within one month.
The Acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu explained that the seizures were the reflection of the NCS commitment to duty and non-compromise in the discharge of its functions; aimed at protecting the nation’s economy and preventing importation of prohibited and harmful products.
He explained that the 10 people arrested in connection with some of the seized goods were at various stages of investigation and prosecution, saying that they would face the full wrath of the law.
According to him, the seizures include 1 x 40feet containing flavour seasoning, falsely declared as auto spare parts; 1 x 40feet containing auto interior accessories, falsely declared as filters/pneumatic transmission;
1 X 40feet containing vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice, falsely declared as used vehicles; 1 x 20feet containing 21 pallets of tiles, falsely declared as PVC floor tiles/floor bricks; 1 x 20feet containing Padi Bitters, falsely declared as olive nuts; 1 x 20feet containing unprocessed wood, falsely declared as aluminum ingots and 1 x 20feet containing bales of used clothes and shoes, with a used fake seal/Dangote truck.
Others are 20 drums of Carbide without an End User Certificate(EUC); 5,593 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice – equivalent to nine trailers truck load; 56,725 litres of premium motor spirit; 375 bales of used clothes; 242 parcels of Indian Hemp; 41 pieces of military camouflage bags; 11 used imported cars (Tokumbo) and 29 motorcycles.
Ejibunu said: “It is our hope that these seizures, recoveries and arrests would serve as deterrent to other smugglers and duty evaders. Let me warn again, that the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, will not stop making life unbearable for smugglers.
“Our strategies are constantly being reworked in our efforts to think ahead of economic saboteurs towards defeating their game of concealment, false declaration, under payment of duty and trying to bring in dangerous items like illicit drugs. On the seized 20 drums of carbide, it is instructive to emphasize that such importation raises concerns of national security.
“This is because it is a chemical used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and could cause danger to life and property. Allowing things like this chemical into the society uncontrollably, could create serious security challenge for the country. Carbide is flammable, reactive and can cause explosion hazards when mixed with other chemicals and exposed to water or moisture. It forms flammable acetylene gas that could be used to endanger lives by lawless persons.
This is aside other health hazards, the chemical on exposure can irritate the mouth, nose and throat if not properly handled. Inhaling Calcium Carbide can irritate the lungs. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs and could lead to emergency medical situation.
“Its importation is therefore, strictly controlled from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
As we battle with smugglers, our eagle eyes are not letting go of duty evasion too. In doing this, we are constantly encouraged by the manpower, logistics, expansion of the Government Warehouse and other motivating supports being provided for us by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), and members of the Service management team.”
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