Ogun: Customs impound 73-truck-load of rice in nine months

The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command, says it has impounded 44,933 bags of smuggled foreign rice with an equivalent of 73-trailer loads between February and December this year.

The command also said it intercepted 2,250 tramadol, 940 wraps of cannabis sativa and other smuggled items with Duty Paid Value of N4bn in the last nine months.

The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, said this on Tuesday at a briefing on the activities of the command at its headquarters in Idi-Iroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that the command generated the sum of N58,676,751 from the import duties and auction sales of petroleum products.

Bamidele said the command also intercepted 16,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 99 units of vehicles used as means of conveyance, 41 sacs and 940 wraps of cannabis sativa during the period.

According to him, the command made the seizures with intensive round-the-clock surveillance and patrol activities aided by effective deployment of intelligence.

Other seizures were six units of trucks,

31 units of compressors, 19 units of motorcycles (Means of Conveyance), 8,517 bales, 219 sacs of secondhand clothing, 3,629 pieces of used tyres and 4,700 bags of cement.

Also confiscated were 191 units of vehicle compressors, 2,250 packets of tramadol, 277 pairs, 320 sacs and 120 cartons of foreign shoes.

He said “It is important to note at this juncture that activities embarked upon by the command are patriotic-driven and are in the interest of economic development and national security. Nigeria Customs Service operatives, armed with that awareness, will continue to carry out their legitimate duties as prescribed by law.

“In the wake of anti-smuggling operations conducted in the period under review in different parts of Ogun State, including the creeks, border lines, approved and unapproved routes, the command seizures include 44,933 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each, an equivalent of 73 trailer loads.

“Vehicles used as means of conveyance, 99 units; foreign used vehicles (tokunbo): eight units including one the year 2020 grey colour Wrangler Jeep with chassis no IC4HJXDN6LW161538; six units of used trucks as means of conveyance.

“31 units of compressors; 16,224 kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS); 19 units of motorcycles (means of conveyance); 8 517 bales and 219 sacs of secondhand clothing; 3,629 pieces of used tyres; 4,700 bags of cement; three bales and 384 pieces of used bags; 41 sacs and 940 wraps of cannabis sativa (book and coconut sizes);

“Also 170 cartons of poultry products; 191 units of vehicle compressors; 2,250 packets of tramadol; 222 units of refrigerator compressors; 220 pieces and 867 cartons of foreign wine; 277 pairs, 320 sacks and 120 cartons of foreign shoes; 89 bales and 485 pieces of foreign textile; 302 sacs of foreign corn.

“The total DPV of the above items is four billion, eight hundred and eighty-six million, six hundred and forty-seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-four Naira, ninety-two kobo (N4,886,647,634.92).

“We were able to record the above-mentioned seizures with intensive round-the-clock surveillance and patrol activities, aided by effective deployment of intelligence.”

(PUNCH)