The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted 220 consignments of smuggled goods with a combined value of N3.24 billion within an eight-week period.
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‎The unit’s Comptroller, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this in Lagos on Monday through a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Hussaini.
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‎According to Aliyu, the seizures were recorded as part of intensified efforts to tackle smuggling, protect local businesses and safeguard government revenue. He added that the unit also recovered N728.97 million in revenue that would otherwise have been lost through compliance checks and risk-based profiling.
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‎Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 686 cartons of poultry products; and 414 bales of second-hand clothing.
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‎The customs officers also seized 964 jerrycans containing 24,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as well as 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil.
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‎Aliyu said the operation further led to the recovery of several prohibited narcotic substances, including 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,439.9kg, 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud, 13 parcels of cannabis and 240,000 Tramadol tablets.
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‎Other items recovered included 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, a parcel of methamphetamine and 2,947 used tyres.
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‎The Comptroller also highlighted the seizure of 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, describing the interception as part of the service’s efforts to combat the illegal trade in endangered wildlife.
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‎He said the seizures demonstrated the unit’s determination to protect food security, public health, legitimate businesses and national security from the consequences of smuggling.
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‎Aliyu attributed the operation’s success to intelligence gathering, risk profiling, targeted enforcement and collaboration with other government agencies, as well as information provided by members of the public.
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‎He urged importers and customs agents to make truthful and accurate declarations, warning that failure to comply with customs regulations could attract sanctions.
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‎The Comptroller assured Nigerians that the unit would maintain its zero-tolerance policy towards smuggling while continuing to support the Federal Government’s economic objectives through effective enforcement, compliance and trade facilitation.
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‎(NAN)