Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service made a total of 86 seizures, including illicit drugs suspected to be Indian hemp weighing 1,550 kilogrammes, with street value of N74.4 million between March 19 and April 9, 2018. A total of 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.
The Controller of the anti smuggling unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, who disclosed this in Lagos said the seized weeds were intercepted along Olorunda axis of Ogun State South West, based on intelligence report.
He noted that the seizure of 570 parcels and 98 bags of Indian hemp is so far the highest recorded by the unit. “It is the highest seizure of such hard drugs in the history of FOU A.
You all know what would have happened if it got to the wrong hands undetected. In the spirit of inter agency relationship, the seized India hemp will be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation,” he said.
“There was a mob attack against our operatives but that never deterred us from performing our statutory responsibilities.
“We will continue to enforce Federal Government policies banning the importation of rice and other prohibited goods through the land borders regardless of any situation so as to encourage efficiency in local rice production which will create more employment opportunities for our teeming youths.
“Also worthy of note is the evacuation of 2,671 bags of 50kg rice using nine hired trucks from nine makeshift storage houses in Ilogbo, Abeokuta Ogun State.”
Comptroller Uba put the duty paid value of the seized and intercepted items within the period at N1,461,006,823.