Adamawa/Taraba Command Customs seize 299 bags of rice smuggled from Cameroon

The Adamawa/Taraba Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a trailer conveying 299 bags of foreign rice worth over N5m by a cross-border smuggling syndicate.

Parading the contraband in Yola on Tuesday, the Area Comptroller, Adamawa/Taraba Command, NCS, Kamardeen Olumoh, said a manhunt had been launched for the smugglers.

He noted that the syndicate smuggled the contraband into the country using motorcycles, adding that Customs operatives intercepted the goods along the Pella-Maiha Road following a tip-off.

Olumoh stated, “The Customs intercepted a trailer loaded with 299 bags of foreign rice along the Pella-Maiha Road. The suspects, who escaped the interdiction of officials, exploited the rough terrain between Nigeria and Cameroon to smuggle the product into Nigeria on motorcycles.

“The syndicate members, whom we are hunting, assembled the consignment before transporting it to other parts of the country.

“Most of the times, the owners of the trailers will not know what the drivers are doing. They may just give the drivers the trailers for transportation of goods, but we want them to know that the position of the law is that the Customs will seize the contraband goods and the means of conveyance.

“We have been receiving complaints from the owners of impounded vehicles claiming that they were not aware of the activities of their employees, but the law says you will forfeit the offensive goods and the means of conveyance.”