Business
Customs Lockdown Western Water Routs, Seize N900m Worth Contraband
Contrary to hitherto widely held belief by smugglers to use the western water routes for their illicit trade this yuletide, they got a raw deal from officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command (WMC).
A statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Sc Mailafiya Magaji, on Friday in Lagos stated that the Command successfully thwarted smuggling activities, intercepting contraband valued at N923,794,000 from August to October 2023.
In accordance with its primary mandate outlined in Section 4 of the NCS Act 2023, the WMC executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities, resulting in the arrest and seizure of significant illegal goods.
Magaji said, during the operations, officers and men of the Command confiscated 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), totaling 663.5kg in September and October 2023.
The image maker said operations were conducted along the Moba waterways and Sanki Beach Axis on the 31st of August 2023 and 4th of October 2023.
The statement further reveal that, “under the leadership of Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, the Command also apprehended 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, collectively exceeding a duty paid value of 50 million Naira.
In a related incident, the Command seized 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during two separate arrests on the 27th of October 2023.
It is noteworthy that in August 2023, the WMC seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa, promptly handed them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.
Comptroller Salefu emphasized once again the imperative for the general public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions.
“These measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria”, he said..
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos