Customs FOU ‘A’ intensifies crackdown on smuggling, seizes contraband worth N854m

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service have intensified its fight against smuggling activities, employing enhanced intelligence gathering and information sharing mechanisms.

This renewed strategy has resulted in the identification of new smuggling hot spots and schemes, leading to a total of 60 seizures with a duty paid value of N854,156,712 in January 2024.

Controller of the unit, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday said the contraband seized included 3,653 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 6.5 trailer loads, 23,025 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 241 bales of used clothes and 1,490 kg of Indian Hemp.

Others are 1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste, 983 pieces of used tires, 104 units of Haojuo motorcycles, 556 cartons of slippers and 11 units of used vehicles.

Ejibunu explained that the seized goods violated various sections of the Customs Act (2023) adding that some items were discovered to be expired at the time of importation, while others blatantly disregarded import statutory guidelines.

He said ten suspects were arrested in connection with some of the goods.

In addition to curbing illicit trade, Ejibunu said the unit also achieved a notable revenue recovery of N83,141,803.60.

The sum, he said, was generated through documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.

Ejibunu commended his team and collaborating security agencies for their efforts, highlighting the negative impact of smuggling on the economy, environment, health and security.

“The impact of smuggling has very serious repercussions on the economy, the environment, health and security. Thus, to restrain this trend of illegal commercial activities, there is the need for collaboration and strong partnership with other critical stakeholders through sharing of information and intelligence.

“The general public is encouraged to be aware of the consequences of smuggling and its harmful effects; because it is this awareness that would help to reduce the demand for smuggled goods and discourage individuals from participating in smuggling activities.

“Having established the fact that smuggling is a crime which affects the general wellbeing of the nation; it becomes compelling for all patriotic citizens to join the enforcement and regulatory agencies to curb the menace of smuggling, ” Ejibunu said.