Customs seizes 27 trucks of rice, 21 vehicles worth N2.9b

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Border Command, yesterday announced the seizure of contrabands worth over N2.9 billion.They included 27 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country through neighboring Benin Republic.

Displaying the seized items to journalists yesterday, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba said the command also seized 21 exotic vehicles worth N135million between September and November 2018.

According to him, 57 packs of Tramadol, worth N11 million, 40 pieces of used textiles, valued at N774, 270 and 115 cartons of imported frozen poultry products worth 728,654, were also impounded. He said: “During the two months, our resolute determination to succeed resulted in an impressive revenue generation of N1.9 billion, which was realised for the period under review.

Similarly, the uncompromising stance of the enforcement unit led to the seizure of 850 items with a duty paid value (DPV) of N378 million.He disclosed: “The seizures were 16,729 bags of 50kg foreign rice, worth N302, 477,040, 115 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, worth N728, 654, 57 X 50 litres of jerry cans of vegetable oil, valued at N400, 440, and 111 pieces of used tyres, worth N859, 345.

Others are 21 vehicles, 134,410,536, 50 litres of Jerry can of petroleum products, worth N300, 572 378, 50kg bags of sugar, worth N7, 394,521 and 40 pieces of used textiles, which value was N774, 270.

He added: “57 packs of Tramadol N11, 090,832; 387 sacks of coconut N2, 313,360 and general goods, worth N52, 005,135, making a total of N2, 839,507,352.66,” were also sized.

Mohammed said seven suspects connected with the act were arrested and are in various stages of investigations and conviction.He pledged determination to detecting, arresting and prosecuting those who do not comply with the extant laws regarding importation and exportation through the land borders.