By Isaac Anumihe
Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday disclosed that a total of N229,950,089.8 million was recorded between June 13, 2017 and July 10, 2017.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Area Comptroller, Mr. Mohammed Garba, said that this was possible because of the reviewed operational strategies adopted by the unit to tackle smuggling.
According to him, the unit intercepted various contrabands with a duty paid value (DPV) of N200,995,641.8 million only from June 13 to July 10, 2017.
He also pointed out that the unit, through its various interventions, recovered N28,954,448 million from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to outsmart its officers at seaports, airports and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government, making a cumulative of N229,950,089.8 million in the reviewed period.
“This is making it another spectacular breakthrough in anti-smuggling operations under my watch,” he said, noting that 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.
“Within this period, 40 different seizures were recorded comprising vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, smuggled vehicles, medicaments, used tyres and various general merchandise,” he said, adding that the fight against smuggling can only be won if all hands are on deck. He commended the commitment, doggedness, resilience and diligence of the officers and men of the FOU Zone A for foiling the antics of the smugglers who used different methods of concealment.
“Recently was the interception of 1,442 cartons of drugs (Tramadol 225/120mg) in container number MSKU 98895 1X40 feet and a MAN diesel truck with registration number RRU 513 XA along Apapa-Oshodi and Ijebu Ode Expressways.