The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted contraband goods worth N110 million in the first quarter of the year.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. OA Salefu told the press on Tuesday that the command recorded 15 incidences of seizures that had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of One Hundred and Ten Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Four Naira, Fifty Kobo (#110,195,934.50).
The controller who was addressing his maiden press briefing hinted that One Thousand Five Hundred and Nineteen (1,519) bags of 50kg size Foreign Parboiled Rice were seized up n the first quarter of this year.
Compt. Salesu also disclosed that Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five (8,825) liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight kegs of 25liters each were impounded by his officers during the period.
The controller further informed that 700 pairs of foreign used shoes, 20 used foreign ladies bags and 88 cartons of Caro White Cream (bleaching cream) were among the seizures.
He added that 50 pairs of expired tyres, three Outboard Boat Engines and One Water Pumping Machines were also seized.
According to the controller, following enforcement operations, five suspects have been arrested and have been granted administrative bail pending when charges will be proffered against them in court.
He praised the host communities, saying that the command has always enjoyed cordial relations and cooperation from them. He said that the host communities and together with their leadership remain a major source of intelligence gathering.
Salefu saluted the commitment, dedication and bravery of officers and men of the command operating in the creeks and waterways amiss very risky and difficult challenges.
He commended the unflinching support and motivation of the management of Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali(Rtd) who has continued to provide all necessary support and logistics for the command’s operations, adding that the command is grateful with the assurance to the CGC that the command will not relent in the fight against these economic saboteurs.
The controller disclosed that the Command on the 28th of March 2023 and the 3rd of April received in addition to its fleet of boats four additional operational boats consisting of two gun boats and two logistics boat from NCS headquarters.
With these equipment, appealed to smugglers to abandon economic sabotage and unlawful trade for legitimate trade as the command will not rest on its oars to rid the creeks/waterways of illegal trade practices and will continue to enforce Federal laws and policy restrictions.
Salefu also appreciated the cooperation of sister agencies and partners, calling on the media and general public to continue to cooperate with the Service by volunteering vital information that will help the service fulfill its obligations of suppressing smuggling in the Creeks/waterways and facilitate legitimate trade by the proper implantation of government fiscal policies.