Some of the contraband goods intercepted by Customs.
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “D” have arrested two suspects and seized contraband goods worth N70 million within six months.
The Comptroller, FOU, which comprises of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Benue and Nassarawa States, Adesanmi Omiye, disclosed this at a press conference, held at the Zonal Headquarters, Bauchi on Thursday.
He said the two suspects were arrested for being in possession of 162 kilogrammes of Indian Hemp valued at N30 million.
Mr. Omiye noted that 12 vehicles used as a means of conveyance of the contraband valued at N18 million were seized, added that 674 rounds of 70MM cartridges were also intercepted.
He said: “The operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone “D” Bauchi apart from blocking and suppressing smuggling within the Zone have made Nine seizures between 9th September to date. Some of the seizures are 12 bags of Marijuana with a value of N30 Million, 674 rounds of 70MM Cartridges and 573 bags of 50kgs of foreign parboiled rice valued at N9,741.000.00.”
He added that 45 bales of used clothing valued N8,827,200, 50 bags of foreign mosquito coils valued at N450,000.00 and 175cartons of foreign soap with a value of N2 million.
The Zonal Comptroller further said that 105 Jerry Cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) 25litres valued at of N294,000,00 and 20 jerry cans of 25 litres of foreign vegetable oil valued at N240,000.00.
Omiye said that: “The actions of our operatives is in line with the provisions of Section 8 (Officers to have Powers of Police Officers), Section 147 (Officers to have powers to search Premises without warrant, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that goods liable for forfeiture are concealed) and Section 158 (Power to Patrol Freely) of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.
“These unprecedented Seizures were achieved as a result of sharing of information, intelligence gathering and doggedness of the Officers/Men of the Federal Operations Unit Zone D in making the Zone unbearable for smugglers.”
He pleaded with well-meaning Nigerians to assist in providing genuine information that could aid in eradicating the menace of smuggling in the zone and the country at large pointing out that eradicating smuggling in this country will boost the economy which will make the Federal Government provide social amenities to the citizenry.
He warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities, while reiterating the Customs commitment to making the Zone unbearable for smugglers.
“The smugglers should know that we will continue to unleash our strategies in order to have a smuggling free society,” he warned.
While handling over the Indian Hemp to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NSC Comptroller noted that the culprits would soon be charged to court to face full wrath of the law.