Again Customs Nabs Assorted Vehicles, Used Tyres Worth N783.64m

Four weeks after it announced the seizure of assorted vehicles, Indian hemp and other contraband with a duty paid value of N1.611 billion, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, yesterday announced the seizure of another set of assorted vehicles and other contraband valued at N783.64 million.

Controller of FOU, Mohammed Garba, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lagos yesterday said apart from the assorted vehicles, they tried to outsmart officers of the service at the airport, seaports and border stations through wrong classification, transfer value and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the federal government.

According to Garba, the assorted smuggled vehicles include, Toyota Prado SUV, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz among others, ranging from 2007 to 2013 models respectively.

He stated that the assorted vehicles alone have a duty paid value of N228.21 million and were seized 9th and 25th of this month.

According to him, “Between August 9 and 25, barely three weeks after intensifying our operational modalities, the filed operatives fortified with credible information, trailed and evacuated 27 assorted vehicles smuggled into the country through unapproved routes.

“Similarly, our reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded positive gains through the interception of other contraband comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, Indian hemp, medicament, used tyres and various general merchandise. Three containers were also seized for false declaration with a duty paid value of N303.2 million.”

He added that the federal government policy banning importation of rice and vehicles through the land border are still in force adding that the NCS remains tenacious in its determination to enforce the policies.

“As we enter the ‘ember’ months this weekend when economic activities strives to boom, let me use this opportunity to send this warning message to smugglers within the South west zone to desist from such illegal trade as we are well equipped with all necessary arsenal to cripple smugglers and send them out of their illegitimate business, ”he added.