Customs FOU Zone A busts smuggling cartel, seizes over N3bn goods

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A in Ikeja has made a major breakthrough in dislodging smuggling routes and cartels in the western part of the country with the interception of over 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a cost estimate otherwise called Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion.

It disclosed that it equally recovered the sum of N728.98 million revenue while carrying out enforcement operations targeted at eliminating smuggling, revenue evasion and other fraudulent activities by fraudsters.

The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu said confiscated items include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads.

Other are 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; and 240,000 tablets of Tramadol.

The rest included 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled goods.

Aliyu described the revenue recovery as encouraging, saying the Unit would intensify efforts to identify and recover government revenue lost through customs fraud.

He urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations.

He said, “The Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.”