NCS Federal Operations Unit Zone A Ikeja Seizes Imported Goods Worth N531.476 Million

Hyacinth Chinweuba

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone `A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized cars, rice and Indian hemp, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N531.476 million according to Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammad Uba Garba.

Between August 8th and 25th August 2017, the command has intercepted various items, including vehicles and Indian hemp, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.61 billion.

Mohammed said that the Command intercepted 27 vehicles, including a Toyota Prado Jeep, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz, among others, ranging from 2007 to 2013 models respectively with a Duty Paid Value of N228.215million.

“Our reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded positive gains through the interception of other contraband comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, Indian hemp, medicaments, used tyres and various general merchandise.

“Three containers were also seized for false declaration, with a Duty Paid Value of N303.260million”.

The Controller stated that 16 suspects have been arrested in connection with these 54 seizures, while N252.173million was recovered from duty payment and Demand Notice on general goods that tried to outsmart our officers at seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification.

“Also there were wrong transfers of value and short change in duty payments that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative sum of N783.649million within the two weeks under review,’’ Mohammed said.

The controller said that the Federal Government’s policy banning importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders is still in force. The service remains tenacious in its determination to enforce these policies.

Mohammed further urge all compliant traders not to exercise any fear while embarking on their legitimate businesses but to be honest in their declarations.

The command has handed over the Indian hemp and medicaments to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for investigation.