Customs intercepts over N900m illegal goods

The western marine command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) intercepted contrabands worth over N900 million from August to October.

Odaudu Salefu, comptroller of the WMC, said this on Friday, in Lagos, according to a statement signed by Mailafiya Magaji, public relations officer and superintendent of customs.

“In accordance with its primary mandate outlined in section 4 of the NCS Act 2023, the WMC executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities, resulting in the arrest and seizure of significant illegal goods,” Salefu said.

He said officers and men of the WMC confiscated 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of cannabis sativa totalling 663.5kg in September and October.

“These arrests were conducted along the Moba waterways and Sanki Beach axis on Aug. 31 and Oct. 4,” Salefu said.

“The WMC also apprehended 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, collectively exceeding a duty paid value of N50 million.

“In a related incident, the command seized 3,750 litres of premium motor spirit during two separate arrests on October 27.”

He added that in August 2023, the WMC seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of cannabis sativa which was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on September 7.

Salefu said that the cumulative value of the 10 seizures conducted by the WMC from August to October amounted to N923,794,000.

He said the general public should respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions.

The comptroller said the measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria.