Customs dismantles N3.24bn smuggling rings in South-West

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), on Monday said it had intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3,237,132,640.00 in Duty Paid Value, while recovering N728,976,725.03 in revenue for the government.

In a statement released on Monday by the FOU Zone ‘A’ spokesman, Hussaini Abdullahi, the operation, anchored on enhanced risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations, underscores the Unit’s unrelenting commitment to protecting local industries, securing government revenue and keeping Nigeria’s trade corridors free of contraband.

The seizures recorded during the period include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; 240,000 tablets of Tramadol; 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled items intercepted through intelligence-led operations.

The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the revenue recovery as encouraging and reaffirmed the Unit’s determination to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud.

He urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations, stressing that the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.

Furthermore, the Unit said the interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods would contribute to protecting domestic industries, supporting national food security and safeguarding legitimate government revenue.

Similarly, the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances contributes to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians.

The recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

In the same vein, the Comptroller emphasised that the Unit’s enforcement activities are being undertaken within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation.

He attributed the successes recorded during the period to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.

He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud and other forms of economic sabotage.

To this end, the NCS, through FOU ‘A’, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade, and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.

The Unit appreciated the continued support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute significantly to its enforcement efforts.

Comptroller Aliyu called for sustained partnership from the business community and the general public, noting that collective compliance and vigilance remain essential to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety and national economic development.