Customs Seme command rakes in N142.2m from 317 seizures

The Area Comptroller of Customs, Seme Area Command,
Mr Othman Salleh, says the command realised N142.2 million from 317
seizures between January and October this year.

Salleh made the disclosure on
Friday to newsmen at the Customs conference room, Seme, Badagry, Lagos State.

He also said that the command
collected about N6,59 billion out of its target of N8.4 billion set for 2012.

“We have made 317 seizures
with a duty paid value of N142, 29 million between January and October 2012.

“Five out of the 22 suspects
arrested had been convicted, while other cases are at various stages of
investigation and prosecution.

“The hard drug related cases
have been transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in
the spirit of inter agency collaboration, “ Salleh said.

The Comptroller said that the
command arrested a couple with 30 compressed blocks of substance suspected to
be cannabis.

“The suspects, exhibits and
KIA Sephia car had since been handed over to the NDLEA,“ Salleh said.

The Area Comptroller noted
that the scanner and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have
maximally assisted the command, adding that it has facilitated the clearance of
goods within Seme border.

He said that the command was
facing a lot of challenges which were surmounted by dedicated staff workers.

“The deplorable state of the
Seme-Lagos Highway which tends to hinder legitimate trade is a big concern.”

Salleh frowned at what he called
“the improper method adopted by the Customs Administration of Republic of Benin
in the escort/canalisation of imported vehicles”.

Among other challenges, he
identified, were inadequate office accommodation as a result of the border
reconstruction.

Salleh said that discussions
were still going on with the view to addressing the problems and warned that
the command would not tolerate smuggling in any guise.

He said the command also had
zero tolerance to falsification and all forms of anti social activities.