The
Navy has arrested 14 suspects for allegedly smuggling adulterated diesel and
“black oil” to unsuspecting consumers in Rivers State, an official said.
Navy has arrested 14 suspects for allegedly smuggling adulterated diesel and
“black oil” to unsuspecting consumers in Rivers State, an official said.
The
Executive Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Capt. Samuel Garba, spoke while parading the 14 suspected smugglers before reporters in Port
Harcourt, recently.
Garba
said the suspects were caught while trans-loading adulterated diesel and black
oil from 12 large wooden boats into nine 33,000 litre-capacity trucks.
said the suspects were caught while trans-loading adulterated diesel and black
oil from 12 large wooden boats into nine 33,000 litre-capacity trucks.
According
to him, the suspects were arrested in three different raids carried out at
suspected illegal bunkering sites in Marine Base, Rumuolumeni and Eleme
locations.
to him, the suspects were arrested in three different raids carried out at
suspected illegal bunkering sites in Marine Base, Rumuolumeni and Eleme
locations.
He
said: “In the first raid on September 16 at Horly Kings Waterfront at Marine
base, our patrol team arrested nine suspects while trans-loading petroleum
products.
said: “In the first raid on September 16 at Horly Kings Waterfront at Marine
base, our patrol team arrested nine suspects while trans-loading petroleum
products.
“They
were caught lifting substances believed to be stolen crude oil from eight
wooden boats to six trucks stationed within a yard at the waterfront.
were caught lifting substances believed to be stolen crude oil from eight
wooden boats to six trucks stationed within a yard at the waterfront.
“In
addition, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) stacked with N1.95 million belonging to
one of the suspects was confiscated.”
addition, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) stacked with N1.95 million belonging to
one of the suspects was confiscated.”
Garba
noted that the troops also arrested one suspect for allegedly trans-loading
stolen diesel from two wooden boats to a truck on September 17 around Yesin
Waterside area of Rumuolumeni.
noted that the troops also arrested one suspect for allegedly trans-loading
stolen diesel from two wooden boats to a truck on September 17 around Yesin
Waterside area of Rumuolumeni.
The
executive officer said the wooden boats were discharging the adulterated diesel
to the truck, which was stationed 100 meters from the site, before the seizure.
executive officer said the wooden boats were discharging the adulterated diesel
to the truck, which was stationed 100 meters from the site, before the seizure.
“The
third raid was conducted on September 27 around Sand Fill at Eleme. There, we
caught four suspects in the act discharging substances suspected to be black
oil.
third raid was conducted on September 27 around Sand Fill at Eleme. There, we
caught four suspects in the act discharging substances suspected to be black
oil.
“The
suspects were discharging the petroleum product into two 33,000 litre-capacity
truck stationed nearby before their arrest and seizure.
suspects were discharging the petroleum product into two 33,000 litre-capacity
truck stationed nearby before their arrest and seizure.
“Consequently,
14 suspects, 12 wooden boats with products and nine trucks were detained to
enable the (naval) base to conduct preliminary investigation,” he added.
14 suspects, 12 wooden boats with products and nine trucks were detained to
enable the (naval) base to conduct preliminary investigation,” he added.
Garba
handed over the 14 suspects, diesel and oil to operatives of the Nigerian
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to conduct further investigation and
possible prosecution of the suspects in court.
handed over the 14 suspects, diesel and oil to operatives of the Nigerian
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to conduct further investigation and
possible prosecution of the suspects in court.
