Marine Customs Command bursts smugglers’ game, impounds 2211 bags of rice, poultry products valued over N20 m
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| CAC Johnson Gabriel getting details of the seizures from his team |
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| The seized bags of rice being loaded into a truck |
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) on Thursday disclosed that it had impounded 2211 bags of rice, cooking
oil and poultry products valued at N20.4 million.
(NCS) on Thursday disclosed that it had impounded 2211 bags of rice, cooking
oil and poultry products valued at N20.4 million.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Johnson Gabriel,
at a briefing in Lagos, said the seizures were made in two separate operations
by his team.
at a briefing in Lagos, said the seizures were made in two separate operations
by his team.
He disclosed that on Oct. 15 at the Badagry axis of
Lagos State, they impounded 70 cartons of poultry products, 11 bags of rice and
eight kegs of cooking oil valued at N567, 982.
Lagos State, they impounded 70 cartons of poultry products, 11 bags of rice and
eight kegs of cooking oil valued at N567, 982.
He said the second operation took place at the Yekeme
area of the state on Oct. 18, and recorded the seizure of 2200 bags of rice
valued at N19, 893,060.
area of the state on Oct. 18, and recorded the seizure of 2200 bags of rice
valued at N19, 893,060.
“The command made these seizures at two different
operations around Badagry and Yekeme area of Lagos State, and the calculations
show a duty paid value of over N20 million.
operations around Badagry and Yekeme area of Lagos State, and the calculations
show a duty paid value of over N20 million.
“The actual value of the first seizure is N541, 225
and the duty is N26, 757.50, giving a duty paid value of N567, 982.50.
and the duty is N26, 757.50, giving a duty paid value of N567, 982.50.
“For the second seizure the rice is valued at
N11,701,800 and a duty of N8,191,260, giving a duty paid value of N19,
893,060,” he said.
N11,701,800 and a duty of N8,191,260, giving a duty paid value of N19,
893,060,” he said.
He attributed the success of the operation to the
valued contributions of the Customs Intelligence Unit ((CIU), which he
described as a vital part of their operations.
valued contributions of the Customs Intelligence Unit ((CIU), which he
described as a vital part of their operations.
He said the operatives worked with the intelligence
report they got and did not allow the rains of the late night to deter them
when they set out for the operation.
report they got and did not allow the rains of the late night to deter them
when they set out for the operation.
“This massive seizure was made possible through the
intelligence report from the CIU and I must say it took precise calculations
because the smuggler wanted to take advantage of a rainy day.”
intelligence report from the CIU and I must say it took precise calculations
because the smuggler wanted to take advantage of a rainy day.”
The controller however sounded a note of warning that
smugglers would never have their way as the command was adopting new strategies
to deal with the evil act of smuggling.
smugglers would never have their way as the command was adopting new strategies
to deal with the evil act of smuggling.
“We keep evolving our strategies to fighting smuggling
and it remains zero tolerance for this act that is detrimental to our nation’s
economy,” he said.
and it remains zero tolerance for this act that is detrimental to our nation’s
economy,” he said.
