Western Marine command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that it impounded contraband goods with Duty Paid Value worth N110.2 million in the first quarter of this year.
The command also arrested five suspects in connection with the seized contraband goods.
The Customs Area Controller for the Command, Odaudo Salefu said that the seized items included 1,519 bags of 50 kilograms parboiled rice worth N85.1 million; 468 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 25 litres worth N2.2 million; 700 pairs of foreign used shoes worth N5.6 million; and 145 pieces of expired foreign used tyres worth N1.8 million.
He said that other seized items included 20 pieces of foreign ladies’ handbags worth N36,000, 88 cartons of Caro White Cream worth N10.6 million, three Outboard Boat Engines, and one Water Pumping Machine worth N4.8 million.
According to him, “Western Marine command in the period under review (January to March 2023) recorded 15 incidents of seizures that had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of N110.2 million”.
The Customs boss warned that anyone caught in the act will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law, adding that it had received four additional operational boats consisting of two gunboats and two logistics boats from its headquarters to strengthen its operations.
“Our command has always enjoyed cordial relations and cooperation from members of our host communities who together with their leadership remain a major source of intelligence gathering”, he said.
