The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, announced yesterday that it had seized 13 trailers of imported foreign rice, 17 automobiles, Indian hemp, and other commodities with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.2 billion.
Hussein Ejibunu, Acting Controller of the FOU Zone A, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, saying that in its ongoing effort to prevent revenue loss due to various infractions such as under-valuation, under-payments, and incorrect classification, the Unit collected N115.4 million through the issuance of Demand Notices, D/Ns to defaulters.
According to him:
“A total of 17 vehicles were also seized from smugglers, who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. For the avoidance of doubts, our officers also intercepted 593 jerry cans (14,825 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
“Because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed of them in line with laid down due process. Other seized items include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39 bales of second clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.”
“I want to state that this Unit of the Service under my watch will make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers in the interest of our country. We are ready to intercept them and frustrate their antics of concealment, illegal route passage, false declaration and underdeclaration.
“In addition, we are also determined to implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the various penalties attached to offences while striving to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the laws.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
