Customs impounds 1,777 cartons of fake drugs, 182 vehicles

THE Federal Operations Units (FOU), zone ‘C’ command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Owerri has impounded 1,777 cartons of fake drugs with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N250.6 million.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Zone ‘C’, Dimka Victor David who disclosed the development explained that the truck conveying the fake drugs was impounded on the Benin/Edo expressway, adding that the suspect abandoned the exhibits and fled into a nearby bush.

According to Dimka, the driver of the truck was arrested and is helping the command in the investigations.

Dimka explained that the seized items have been handed over to the Directors of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in-charge of Imo and Edo states, Mammael Victor and David West for further investigation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

The Customs boss according to Dimka expressed concern at the rampant cases of smuggling of illicit, unregistered, controlled drugs and contraband goods in the country “despite the obvious severe consequences on those arrested”.

A Statement issued by the zone’s Public Relation Officer, Ifeoma Onuigbo explained that Dimka also displayed 193 bales of fairly used Jumbo School bags seized by his men and 780 bales of second hand clothing impounded on the Eleme/Aba Road, adding that used and expired tyres “criminally smuggled into the country were similarly seized because of their obvious implications to human lives”.

Displaying other items seized, such as assorted types of furniture, 599 bags of 50kg long grain parboiled rice and 182 vehicles, Dimka according to the statement explained that while many Nigerians preoccupy themselves with ideas on how to move the nation forward, and to acquire a decent means of livelihood, others “shamelessly engage themselves in acts capable of bringing the nation to ruins”.

He therefore warned smugglers, their agents and collaborators to turn a new leaf before the long arm of the law catches up with them, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service is now better equipped, informed, trained and mobilized to dislodge smugglers wherever they operate.

He also appealed to members of the public with useful information about smugglers to always make them available to the nearest Customs Command for necessary action, pledging that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The unit had for the first three months of this year recorded 140 seizures and arrested 56 suspects.

Dimka put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items between January and March at N501million.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Dimka said 37 items were apprehended in January, 40 in February and 63 in March.