The Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, announced yesterday that it has confiscated a total of 13 trailers loaded with imported foreign rice, 17 vehicles, Indian hemp, and various other items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) estimated at N1.2 billion.
During a press briefing held in Lagos, Acting Controller of the FOU Zone A, Hussein Ejibunu, revealed that the unit is committed to preventing revenue losses resulting from various infractions, including under-valuation, under-payments, and misclassification. He also noted that the unit collected N115.4 million through the issuance of Demand Notices (D/Ns) to defaulters.
Ejibunu provided a breakdown of the seized items, stating, “We successfully seized 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers, which is equivalent to nearly thirteen trailer loads of rice. Additionally, we confiscated 17 vehicles used by smugglers attempting to evade duty payments. Our officers intercepted 593 jerry cans (14,825 liters) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which were disposed of safely due to the volatile nature of the product.”
He continued, “Other seized items include 657 used tires, 167 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 202 kg, 39 bales of second-hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 used motorcycles, 600 cartons of GIV soap, and 730 sacks of hide and skin concealed in a 1×40 container, equivalent to 5,033 pieces.”
Ejibunu emphasized the unit’s commitment to cracking down on smuggling activities, stating, “Under my leadership, this unit will make it increasingly difficult for smugglers to operate in 2023 and beyond, in the best interest of our nation. We are prepared to intercept and thwart their attempts at concealment, illegal route usage, false declarations, and under-declarations.”
He also added, “Furthermore, we are fully dedicated to enforcing all provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the associated penalties for offenses, to ensure that wrongdoers face the full consequences of the law.”
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