Customs Seizes N1 Billion Worth of Contraband, Arrests Suspected Smugglers

Customs Seizes N1 Billion Worth of Contraband, Arrests Suspected Smugglers

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted smuggled goods worth over N1 billion within the past four weeks.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, head of the unit, stated that the seized items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.7 billion. He emphasized that customs officers have intensified border surveillance to curb smuggling activities.

According to Oladeji, the ongoing crackdown on economic sabotage aligns with the NCS Key Performance Indicators (KPI), which focus on revenue generation, smuggling suppression, and legitimate trade facilitation. He noted that the agency has recorded significant progress through its "Swift Sting Operations."

Over the past month, the unit made 82 interceptions, including:

3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to seven trailer loads),

27 used (Tokunbo) vehicles,

494 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totaling 14,820 liters,

27 bales of used clothing,

95 bags of charcoal, and

3,643kg of cannabis sativa, which will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Additionally, the unit recovered N72.44 million through Demand Notices (DNs) issued due to incorrect consignment declarations.

Oladeji reaffirmed that the NCS will continue enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 to regulate import and export activities and prevent revenue losses.