The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion and recovered N728.98 million in lost revenue.
The seizures were the result of intelligence-led operations, improved risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted enforcement actions against suspicious and fraudulent declarations.
The Unit said the seizures were of a wide variety of prohibited and controlled items including 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; 240,000 tablets of Tramadol and 12,000 tablets of Hypnox.
Other items intercepted included 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to 24,100 liters; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four five-liter units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 used tires, among others.
Reacting to the seizures and revenue recovery, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone A, said the development was a major accomplishment recorded by the Unit in its bid to protect government revenue and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
He said the Unit will continue to detect and recover revenue lost thru under-declaration, false declaration, undervaluation and other forms of customs fraud.
The Comptroller advised importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to strictly adhere to the extant customs laws and regulations.
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“The Customs Service continues to be dedicated to facilitating legitimate trade and establishing a fair and predictable trading environment for compliant businesses,” he said.
Aliyu, however, warned that the Unit would continue its zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling, revenue evasion and other activities that threaten Nigeria’s economic interests.
Intercepting foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods will help protect local industries, support domestic production, strengthen food security and protect legitimate government revenue, the Comptroller said.
The seizure of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products is an important intervention in protecting public health by preventing the circulation of substances capable of harming citizens and undermining the wellbeing of young Nigerians, said Comptroller Aliyu.
“The recovery of elephant tusks highlights the Service’s role in combating illegal wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species,” he added.
The Comptroller attributed the successes recorded by the Unit to improved intelligence gathering, successful risk profiling, intelligence fusion, inter-agency collaboration and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.