Customs Intercepts 24,710 Litres of Smuggled PMS In Lagos

Abiola Seun

The Seme border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it intercepted 988 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol on the verge of being smuggled to Benin Republic.

In a press statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Hussein Abdulahi and a copy made available to newsmen, the acting Customs Area Controller of the command, DC Dalha Wada said the seized PMS was 24,710litres.

The Ag. CAC also said 1,113 bags of foreign parboiled rice worth N19billion was also seized under one month.

The statement reads, “Officers and men of Seme Command are not unaware of these desperate groups of unpatriotic citizens, therefore they have resolved never to lose these guards in watching them day and night leading to arrest and seizures of 235 contraband with total DPV of N91millon.”

Breakdown shows 1113 bags of 50kg rice with Duty Paid Value of N19million; 24,710 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 188 cartons of frozen poultry products and 422 sachets of 500mg of tramadol.

Others are 563 sachets of 400ml of Amphetamine syrup, 105 textile materials (six yards each) with DPV of N681,000 and 29 vehicles as means of conveyance vehicles with DPV of N40.2 million.

Also, 84 sacks of used clothing, ladies hand bags and shoes with DPV of N277,000; 30 sacks and 1 carton of soap; 51 pieces of motorcycles spare parts; 28 jerry cans of vegetable oil 25 litres each and 25 sacks of hides and skin along with 10 sacks of Egusi.”

The CAC who warned against the health hazards of smuggling drugs into the country said the large quantities of amphetamine syrup were intercepted through intelligence.

“Such drugs without registration number from the appropriate authority constitute serious danger to the health of Nigerians.

“People should beware of the health hazards of such drugs”, the statement concluded.