Customs seizes cartridges, PMS, Indian hemp worth N 7.8 billion in 2021
TCustoms Service ( NCS), Federal Operations Unit ( FOU), Zone A said it has seized 751 pieces of cartridges, 12,781 kegs of 25 litres Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), 733 sacks ( 3,522.1kg) of Indian hemp and others worth N7.8 billion.
The Acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, who disclosed this at a briefing, said the Unit also generated revenue to the tune of N 617.9 million and apprehended 116 suspects in the year under review.
Ejibunu said, while 18 of the suspects were arraigned, 69 were released on administrative bail, one handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) with 23 in custody presently.
He listed other seizures made between January 1 to December 31, 2021 to include: 12,394 cartons of frozen poultry products, 562 units of used vehicles, 312 sacks, 11,992 pairs of used shoes, 1,638 bales ( 5,669 pieces) of used clothing, 309 units of used fridges.
Others were; 896 pieces of used compressors, 3,553
kegs of vegetable oil, 3,177 pieces of used tyres, 239 pieces, 568 cartons of tomato paste, 16 containers of unprocessed wood, 43 drums of carbide, 3,671 cartons of unapproved drugs and149 units of used motorcycles; among others.
Ejibunu who described 2021 as an eventful year for the unit said four officers lost their lives during operations.
He said for the year 2022, the unit will focus on antismuggling activities in the border areas, saying: “We are going to dissipate a lot of energy to intensify patrols and ensure uncustoms goods do not find their way into the country.”
He said the unit is not unaware of the fact that election year is just around the corner, adding that it is a period during which illicit importation takes place as the unit will not allow it to happen.
Ejibunu warned economic saboteurs and daredevil smugglers in the Zone to stay clear or be served their waterloos, if they don’t embrace legitimate economic activities.
“Those smugglers are economic terrorists in the sense that when they bring in illicit items they use it to get more terrible items like lethal weapons. Smuggling is a hydra headed monster killing the economy. Election is approaching and we have gathered our loins and contacted those we need to contact and we are making frantic efforts. We have blocked a lot of leakages right now. We will try our best and we need the support of the state government to help us prevent this,” he stated.