The Nigeria Custom Services, Federal Operation Unit Zone C says it has recovered the sum of N61,467,109 from demand notices raised based on some infractions discovered between January 25 and March 25, 2023.
The Unit also intercepted various contrabands with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2.757billion within the period in view.
The acting Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Mr. Kayode Kolade, made this known while giving a score card of his achievements in 60 days in office.
Some of the items confiscated included five sacks of pangolin scales weighing 413.1kg, 398 sacks and 2,308 compressed parcels of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 11,064kg and 2,600 bottles of Cough Syrup with codeine.
Others are 931 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing, 484 bags of smuggled rice, 540 pieces of used pneumatic tyres and 32 jerry cans containing 25 litres of PMS as well as 3 units of exotic vehicles all bulletproof, without customs documents and End User Certificate.
Mr. Kolade while reiterating the unit’s determination to enforce all laws, relating to importation and exportation of goods said the seizures, which were made on different locations of the unit, indicted 13 suspects, who were released on administrative bail pending when investigations were concluded.
The Acting Comptroller FOU Zone C, commended the Customs Intelligence Unit, for their prompt intelligence sharing, resilience and doggedness and called on the members of the public to join the Nigeria Customs Service in its advocacy against smuggling.
Mr. Kolade warned smugglers to desist from such illegal business as the unit has intensified anti-smuggling operations at various seaports, land borders, and airports.
The Nigerian Custom Services, Federal Operation Unit Zone C comprises the 11 states of the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
Reporting by Ugonna Agu; Editing by Annabel Nwachukwu