The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “A”, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service has arrested four suspects in connection with a haul of 15 exotic cars, narcotics and other sundry illegal imports valued at N1.2 billion.
Addressing the media on the recent activities and achievements of the unit at Ikeja on Tuesday, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu of the Special Unit explained that the unit had intensified its anti-smuggling operations through intelligence-driven strategies, aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue, and protecting consumers from hazardous and counterfeit products.
According to him, the unit leveraged advanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing frameworks across the southwestern states, resulting in 125 successful interceptions within a six-week period.
Shuaibu gave a breakdown of the seizures to include, 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 15 used exotic vehicles, 640 parcels of cannabis sativa (commonly known as Indian hemp) weighing approximately 431.8kg, and 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (commonly known as petrol).
Others are 143 bales of used clothings, two jumbo sacks of used shoes, one sack of used clothing and 390 bottles of Codeine.
Shuaibu, who was accompanied by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and that of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), listed other seizures to include, 310 foreign-branded drugs, 19 cards of tramadol, 210 pieces of used tyres and one 20-foot container laden with 752 cartons of calcium lactate.
He stated that the seizures were made within the Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos States axis.
He said the four suspects linked with the illegal imports would be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The impounded imports carried a total duty paid value of ₦1,188,830,600.00.
In demonstrating inter-agency collaboration, Shuaibu also handed over the seized cannabis sativa to the representatives of NDLEA, and NAFDAC respectively.
Explaining the rational for seizing the edible rice, he said that ‘the 2016 Federal Government fiscal policy that bans the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders is still being enforced’.
He warned that ‘some selfish and unpatriotic individuals who continue to defy this restriction’ would face the consequences, stating firmly that ‘our men will continue to inflict heavy losses on their ill-fated mission’.
While stressing that the unit has a strong enforcement officers, Shuaibu assured that he remained committed to ‘facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that lawful businesses operate without unnecessary hindrance’.
