Customs seize 1,237 bags Of ‘expired’ rice

Ahead of the Sallah celebration, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service has intercepted 1,237 bags of expired rice worth N15, 257, 198.85 between 9th and 25th of August, 2017. This is even as the customs said it evacuated 27 assorted vehicles smuggled into the country through unapproved routes.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Monday, Controller, FOU, Zone A of the customs, Mohammed Uba Garba explained that the 27 assorted vehicles seized has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N228, 215, 429.1 only.

According to Comptroller Garba, “among the assorted vehicles are Toyota Prado Jeep, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz among others, ranging from 2007 to 2013 models.

“Similarly, our reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded positive gains through interception of other contraband comprising 1,237 bags of 50Kg each of foreign parboiled rice. It is important to note that many of this bags of rice are already expired, so we need you the press to help us sensitise the public on the kind of rice they will be buying for consumption.

“137 bales of second hand clothing and lace materials worth N27, 288,000.00 was also intercepted. We also intercepted 523 pieces of used tyres worth N2,824,200.147 sacks of 10Kg each, and 120 parcel of 1Kg each of Indian Hemp worth N72,960,000 was also seized by our men.

“Three containers were also seized for false declaration with a DPV of N303,260,671.85 only. The containers are: a 1by40ft container with number FCIU8437297 carrying three used cars together with some other contraband; a 1by40ft container with number TCLU178477/5 carrying 308 pieces of used truck tyres and tubes.; a 1by40ft container with number PCIU1884380 carrying 858 cartons of rechargeable inverter battery rock.

“In the same vein, our men, through interventions, recovered N252,173,201.25 from duty payment and demand notices on general goods that tried to outsmart our officers at the seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and short-change in duty payment meant for the Federal Government, thereby making a cumulative of N783,649,203.2 collected within the weeks under review. Also apprehended are two trucks carrying 1,104 cartons of medications of different types.