CEM REPORT, TRADE | In a space of three months the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted a total of 11,358 bags of foreign parboiled rice imported into the country.
The Ogun State Command of the service disclosed that the intercept of the contraband rice was between July and September.
The anti-smuggling operatives of the command also confiscated 1,550 units of disused tyres and 180 bales of second-hand clothing evacuated from a warehouse situated along the Lagos – Ibadan expressway.
According to Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, the command’s Area Controller, the seized 11,358 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms represented about 38 trailer trucks load, adding that the total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the contraband seized was over N341 million.
Makinde also disclosed while briefing newsmen in Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on the activities of his command for the 3rd quarter of 2022 that the command generated over N38.5 million as revenue for the period in review.
Giving a breakdown of the other contrabands, Makinde said the 227 seizure included 67, 650 litres of smuggled Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly referred to as petrol, packed in 2, 706 kegs; 20 wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp (cannabis sativa), as well as 80 kegs of vegetable oil, packed in 25-litre size jerrican among others.
He attributed what he described as a reduction in the smuggling activities in the command during the past nine months, to a successful stakeholders’ engagement and spirit of patriotism deployed by the NCS personnel in the discharge of their duties for the economic development and security of the country.
“We were able to achieve this feat with the effective use of intelligence. Recalcitrant smugglers should, therefore, note that the command, through shrewd, intensive and choking anti-smuggling activities, driven by effective employment of timeous intelligence is all out for them”.
“It is important to note that activities embarked upon by the command are driven by patriotism for the economic development and security of the nation. Nigeria Customs Service operatives, mindful of the rules of engagement, will continue to carry out their legitimate duties as prescribed by the law”.
