*The Nigeria Customs Service warns die-hard and would-be smugglers as well as parents and guardians to caution their children, wards against smuggling activities as the ‘full weight of the law will be brought to bear on any arrested perpetrators of such acts’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have seized 11,358 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice between July and September 2022.

ConsumerConnect reports the NCS disclosed the regulatory agency carried out the seizures, which are equivalent of 38 trailers, along Idiroko borders, in Ogun State.

Bamidele Makinde, Customs Area Controller in charge of the Ogun 1 Area Command, told reporters Friday, October 7, 2022, in Lagos, that the Command also recorded seizures of 1,550 pieces of used tyres and 180 bales of used clothing in a warehouse situated along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, within the period under review.

Makinde also noted that the NCS Command generated the sum of N38million as revenue only from import duties and auction sales of petroleum products.

He stated: “The Command recorded a seizure of 11,358 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, which is about 38 Trailer loads. The period under review, the Command.

“Three trucks loaded with 513 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice were intercepted during our anti-smuggling operations along Obada axis and Ibese/Itori road, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, respectively.”

The Area Controller of Nigeria Customs said: “In addition to the above, the Command recorded seizures of 1,550 pieces of used tyres and 180 bales of used clothing in a warehouse situated along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

The value of the intercepted contraband stood at N341billion, said he.

Makinde explained that “227 seizures, comprising, 16 units of vehicles used as means of conveyance, 2 units of used vehicles, 2,706 kegs (67,650 Litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 8 units of Motorcycle (means of conveyance), 80 kegs of vegetable oil (25 litres each), 201 bales and 76 sacks of Second-hand clothing, 79 Sack of Used Shoes, 20 wraps of Cannabis Sativa, 89 bales of Textile (wrapper),17 Cartons of imported Tomato Paste (smuggled), 3 Cartons of imported Spaghetti Pasta (smuggled), 80 Packs of Vegetable oil (4.73 Litres each with a total Duty Paid Value of N341bn.”

The Command, he said, was able to achieve these feats because of effective intelligence.

The Area Controller stated: “Let me take this opportunity to commend the section of the business community which has been complying with the Federal Government fiscal policies.

“We assure them of our continued support by way of trade facilitation.”

He said: “As for die-hard and would-be smugglers, we warn them to steer clear of smuggling activities as the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on any arrested perpetrators of such acts.”

The NCS Chief as well urged parents and guardians to warn their wards against smuggling into the country.

Makinde added: “I appeal to parents and guardians to help us in this regard by prevailing on their wards to desist from smuggling activities and confrontation with, or attack on, security agencies.”