Customs seizes 220 smuggled vehicles worth N4.74bn in 2018

ABIOLA Seun

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos impounded 220 vehicles smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries worth N4.74billion in 2018.

This was disclosed by the Public Relation Officers of the unit, Jerry Attah in a press statement made available to journalists.

Attah who said the unit intercepted total contraband goods worth N23.6 billion in 2018 said the vehicles had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.74billion.

Giving the breakdown, he said that 220 vehicles valued at N4.74 billion, 5,956 parcels of narcotics/Indian Hemp weighing 16,459kg, valued at N4.74 billion and 18 containers of timber valued at N90 million were intercepted during the period.

Other seized items, according to him, included one 40ft container of scrap metals valued at N10 million, 3718 cartons of medicaments such as tramadol, chaka pain, codeine, rally extra of 1000 pack valued at N303.4 million.

“Also, 498 and half sacks of Pangolin shells and 224 packs of elephant tusks, valued at N12.9 billion, 7,375 bales of second-hand clothes valued at N763.7 million and general merchandise valued at N308.2 million.”

Attah said the unit also seized 88,530 bags of 50kg rice and 51 bags of 25kg rice valued at N651.9 million as well as 12,119 cartons of frozen poultry products valued at N96.9 million.

He said N693.8 million was raked through the issuance of Demand Notices (DNs) on vehicles and other general goods that had previously been cleared from the airports and seaports but found to have been under-declared.

Attah further stated that 189 suspects arrested in the year under review were facing trial at various courts in the country.

He said that N693.8 million was recorded from Demand Notices (DNs) on vehicles and other general goods that had evaded full payment at sea and airports through false, under-declaration or transfer of value.

However, the FOU Zone A Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Aliyu, said the command was fully equipped to intensify the fight against smuggling, adding that no amount of distraction would deter the unit from performing its statutory responsibilities.

He advised the economic saboteurs and fraudulent importers to invest their resources in legitimate trade and desist from smuggling activities