Marine Customs intercepts 21,625 litres of petrol, other contraband worth N2.2bn

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has seized contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2.2billion from January to December 2021.

Disclosing this at a press briefing on the activities of the command for the year in Lagos on Thursday, Acting Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Enonche Ochiba said on December 8, operatives of the command intercepted 865 kegs (25 litres each) totaling 21,625 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol valued at N3.3billion.

Ochiba said the products which were being smuggled to Cotonue were intercepted following credible intelligence at Ashipa Beach along Seme coastal border area.

He said in spite of the government’s effort in subsidising PMS for the benefits of its citizenry, smugglers had continued to sabotage the government’s effort for their gain at the detriment of all Nigerians.

He, however, warned that the yuletide period and beyond would be tough for smugglers as operatives of the command are equipped to fight smuggling along the waterways.

“To those smugglers and would-be smugglers, we are aware of your plan this yuletide season, I want you to know that our operatives are vigilant and on patrol duties to take the scourge of smuggling activities and other vices on the South Western waterways and will leave no stone unturned until you are apprehended and prosecuted,” he said

The Customs boss listed other contraband intercepted within the period to include heroin, cannabis sativa, rice, expired drugs, used shoes and others with seven suspects arrested in connection with the seized drugs, which were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for possible prosecution.

He said the N2.2billion worth of smuggled goods recorded within the period is against the total Duty Paid Value of N1.04billion in 2020 representing over 100 percent increase.

Ochiba said the successes recorded by the command were made as a result of strategies put in place since he assumed office.

He called on the public to provide operatives of the Service with genuine information that would aid in the fight against smuggling in the country.

“These records are a strong indication that the operatives of the command are working tirelessly to combat smuggling on the waterways. The record of seizure for the year 2021 is the total of seizures from 2017 to 2020 for the command,” he said.

The Customs boss commended efforts of other security agencies and patriotic Nigerians for their contributions in providing relevant information that have aided the command’s fight against smuggling.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team for the motivation and support given to the command in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.

“The operatives will continue to discharge the duty vested on them and will not rest on their oars in the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking,” he assured.