This was revealed on Friday by Customs Deputy Comptroller-General, Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Aminu Dangaladima, while briefing journalists at the NCS headquarters in Abuja on the continuous gains of the Service’s anti-smuggling operations.
According to Dangaladima, the vehicles were suspected to have been smuggled into the country, adding that they were evacuated from two open car stands along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.
“On Wednesday, 10th October, 2017, based on credible intelligence, operatives of NCS Compliance Team went to two open car stands along Kubwa Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory and evacuated 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country.
These vehicles have estimated duty paid value (DPV) of over N432,000,000,” DCG Dangaladima informed.
He added that the owners of the vehicles were urged to come forward with valid Customs clearance documents otherwise they would be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the Federal Government in line with laws of the land.
The DCG stated that the raids on the car stands were done in accordance to the provisions of Sections 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which enpower the Customs to search premises and Section 158 of CEMA, which gives it the power to patrol freely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, what we are doing is in line with the provisions of Sections 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (power to search premises), Section 158 of CEMA, Cap 45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria (power to patrol freely).
“It must also be understood that being in possession of smuggled items is an offence under Section 3 of Customs and Excise (special penal and other provision) Act Cap 47 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004,” he declared.
He reiterated the declaration made by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (retd), last month while briefing journalists on interception of 18 exotic vehicles, 13 of which were bulletproof, that the Service under his leadership would enforce the powers given to it in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) effectively.
He, however, lamented that when Nigerians go to some other countries, they obey the laws of their host countries but would refuse to respect the laws of Nigeria when they are at home.
“The idea that one can comply with laws of other countries and contravene Nigerian Laws on arrival here can no longer be tolerated,” he stated.
Meanwhile, DCG Dangaladima informed that the Customs was making progress on investigation in the illegal arms importation, adding that more arrests had been made.
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