Customs Seizes Contraband Worth N240m

The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service in Owerri says it has confiscated 12 illegally imported cars and contraband with Duty Paid Value of N240m in the last one week.

The Unit Controller, Comptroller Kayode Olusemire, made this known on Friday in its Benin office while taking journalists round the goods confiscated along Benin axis.

He said that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items who are helping customs with information.

Olusemire gave a breakdown of the confiscated items to include an Iveco Truck with a DPV of N4.05m carrying 633 bags of 50kg foreign rice valued at N16.20m, and concealed with cartons of Lucozade Boost and Ribena worth N1.82m, all totalling N22.08m.

Also impounded is another Iveco Truck with DPV of N4.05m, with 1,680 crates of 33 beer worth N4.44m, and 175 bags of 50kg foreign rice with DPV of N4.48m, totalling N12.96m.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NCS also impounded a Peugeot Boxer with DPV of N1.44m, containing 131 sacks of Indian hemp valued at N4.13m, Toyota Camry 2010 model with DPV of N5.14m and a Volvo XC 90 worth N3.58m.

Also seized by the Customs is a Toyota Venza 2013 model valued at N12.91m, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, and Mercedez Benz ML 350 with DPV of N12.95m and N5.82m respectively; and a Toyota Tundra valued at N13.37m.

Others are Mercedes Benz ML 350 valued N20.90m, Toyota Hilux with DPV of N13.37m, Toyota Tacoma worth N13.39m, Toyota Highlander valued N17.91m and a Range Rover HSE, worth N30.73m, aside others.

The Custom Zone ‘C’ boss said that the owners of the cars evaded paying legal duties on them and appealed to importers to always go to the ports or custom offices nearest to them to pay their duties.

“Custom is ready anytime and anywhere to tackle smugglers. South-South, South-East is no more heaven for smugglers. No matter the system they use, we will fish them out,” he said.

FROM  punchng.com