False Declaration: Customs seize N46m truck, furniture

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo State, has seized a Volvo truck loaded with two sets of home furniture worth Duty Paid Value of N40,000,000.

The truck’s DPV is N6,000,000, all totalling N46,000,000.

Speaking with journalists at the Customs Warehouse, Aduwawa in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Kayode Olusemire, said the truck and consignment were seized after a tip-off.

He said when the men intercepted the truck, the agents declared that the consignment was used vehicle parts.

“After a thorough search, our men discovered that the truck was fully loaded with highly expensive household furniture. The men seized it for false declaration,” Olusemire added.

The customs boss noted that the company that shipped the consignment should have paid the duty.

Olusemire identified the goods as two set of costly dining table and chairs.

“The furniture should have been produced and marketed by furniture companies in Nigeria,’’ he said.

He revealed that the items were part of the seizures recorded by the unit between January and March, 2019.

Olusemire further said six suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal deal and they had been granted administrative bail.

“We have charged the matter to court for appropriate legal actions,” he said.