Customs FOU Zone C intercepts contraband worth N5.35bn in 2023

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, Owerri of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant achievement in its continuous battle against smuggling and fraudulent importation.

The unit, under the leadership of Comptroller Kayode Kolade, says it intercepted contraband valued at over N5.35 billion and recovered N152 million from importers who under-declare the value of their goods at the seaports during the period of January to December 2023.

The FOU Zone C oversees operations in the South East and South South regions, covering states such as Bayelsa, Port Harcourt 1 and 2, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Akwa Ibom.

Among the contraband seized were five sacks of pangolin scales, 398 sacks of Indian hemp weighing 8,756kg, and 2,308 compressed parcels of Indian hemp of 1kg each.

The seizure, according to the unit, marks a historic interception of such endangered species and a substantial quantity of hard drugs in the zone.

Other seized items include 31 cartons of various medicaments, including tramadol, 32 jerry cans of petrol, and 540 pieces of used tires.

The unit also intercepted cannabis sativa, raw materials for explosive devices, and other contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.6 billion between July 25 and September 23, 2023. Nine suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures.

In the fiscal year 2023, the unit said it seized goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding N5 billion.
Additionally, the unit, under Compt. Kolade’s leadership, raised Demand Notices (DN) worth over N152 million, helping prevent revenue loss due to fraudulent importers.

Meanwhile, clearing agents operating at the Onne seaport have praised Comptroller Kolade for his efforts in blocking revenue leakages facilitating trade and streamlining checkpoints to avoid unnecessary delays for legitimate importers.

“Comptroller Kolade has been supportive to clearing agents operating at the eastern zone. We don’t have FOU indiscriminately arresting already cleared cargoes from the eastern seaport.

“The FOU C road blocks have been reduced, he has streamline the roadblocks even as he told us he’s more concerned about facilitating trade being the agenda of the current Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,”said Chukwu Okenwa, a clearing agent at Once seaport.

Also speaking, Bright Amaechi commended Compt. Kolade for his decisive actions against smugglers in the eastern axis, highlighting the significant impact he made within the first three months of his tenure.

“Within the first three months of his resumption as the Comptroller, Zone C, in 2023, he dealt the first blow on smugglers with the interception of contraband goods valued N2.8 billion between January 25 and March 25. During that time, I know the unit arrested 13 suspected smugglers during the period,” he said.

“He has worked in various Customs formations and in different capacities. He was DC in charge of SIFAX bonded terminal in Apapa Port, he was D/C B1 Tincan Island Port, position he occupied before he got appointed as the Acting Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone C Owerri based on his track records in revenue and anti-smuggling exploits. He’s one of the finest officers of the service,” Amaechi said.