CUSTOMS IMPOUNDS N26.41M SMUGGLED RICE AND POULTRY.

The Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded 1,499 bags of 50kg rice and 3,071 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry at the Iteku Waterside, Ogun State.

 

A statement by the unit said the seizures had a duty paid value of N26.41m. It quoted the Controller of the unit, Umar Dahiru, as saying an FOU ‘A’ Surveillance team had invaded the volatile terrain of Iteku, following an intelligence report.

 

He said,

 

“To apprehend the smugglers, the team went through the Agbara waterways, while a backup team came in through Lusada in Ogun State.

“We also received tremendous assistance and backup from the military, a clear testament to the synergy existing between the NCS and other critical agencies of government.”

 

He added that the FOU ‘A’ Surveillance team Seme axis had on a tip off, intercepted a tipper laden with smuggled rice, covered with tarpaulin. The tipper was upon examination reportedly found to contain 168 bags of smuggled 50kg parboiled rice.

 

Dahiru also confirmed the loading and evacuation of rice and vegetable oil to Internally Displaced Persons camps in Borno State in line with a recent Presidential directive.

 

In a similar vein, the compliance team, Ogun State axis, has intercepted a trailer with registration number AGL 53 XF, containing 2,438 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry, concealed with 22 pallets of Maltina drinks.

 

The leader of the team, Shittu Abdulmaruf, said the trailer was intercepted along the busy Ijebu-Ode-Sagamu Expressway. He gave the value of the seized products as N13.16m.

 

He also confirmed the stoppage of a truck laden with imported shoes and canvas along the tollgate end of Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway.

 

The truck, according to him, is said to have been deposited at the Customs house, Ibadan where 100 per cent examination will be conducted to ascertain the quantity and status of the consignment.