Customs seizes seven containers of machetes, cutlasses, others from China

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that its officers intercepted seven containers containing 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete; 4,129 packages of frozen poultry products; 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing; and expired pharmaceutical imported from China, India, and Turkiya.

Addressing the media on Friday in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port, Controller Babatunde Olomu said that the duty paid value (DPV) of these seized items stood at N292,244,857.00.

According to Controller Olomu, “As part of the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven (7) containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.

“On Thursday, 17 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying twelve thousand (12,000) pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying four thousand, one hundred and twenty-nine (4,129) packages of frozen poultry products; 1x40ft container carrying three hundred and sixty-eight (368) jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical.

“The duty paid value (DPV) of these seized items stood at two hundred and ninety-two million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven naira (292,244,857.00).

“It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violates section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023.

“These seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.

“As a working principle, I have reiterated that this command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of our extant laws as they pertain to the false declaration, concealment, under declaration and undervaluation.

“We are also enforcing the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs and strict implementation of the end user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the earlier warning given by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restate that this command will keep ensuring that only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through this port either as import or export cargoes.

“We are going to hand over these seizures to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.”

The seized expired pharmaceuticals were later handed over to officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

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