NCS CONFISCATES OVER #318MN WORTH OF CONTRABAND GOODS ON SOUTH-EAST/SOUTH-SOUTH ROADS

REPORTER: UGONNA AGU

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit ZONE ‘C’ says it has confiscated contraband goods worth N318,154,742 million.

The Comptroller of the zone, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, made this known while briefing journalists in Owerri on the achievements of the zone within his one month in office.

Mr. Ibrahim announced that the zone also seized 9 vehicles, including an armored Lexus LX570 jeep without End User Certificate and 294 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed with RC carbonated drink.

Other seized items were 304 pieces of used tyres, 657 jumbo bales of used clothing conveyed in heavy duty trucks and 32,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as Diesel concealed in 650 jumbo sacks.

The Comptroller said that the contraband goods were intercepted on the Umuikaa/Aba, Okada/Benin, Benin/Auchi and Enugu/Ubollo roads.

Mr. Ibrahim, who said that seven persons were arrested during the operation, warned smugglers to desist from the dastardly act or face the wrath of the law when caught.

‘’I advise smugglers to turn a new leaf and embrace legislative trade. But those who are hell bent, we will be all out for them.

“We will use everything within the ambit of the law to track them and get them arrested,” he vowed.

The Customs boss decried the devastating effect smuggling had on the country’s economy and security, and urged Nigerians, especially the media to support the Service in its advocacy against smuggling.

“Our operations are highly intelligence driven, No matter how surreptitious they chose to go about it, we are likely to detect, the Customs boss boasted.

Mr. Ibrahim also thanked the men and officers of the Zone for their gallantry in the face of challenging assignments and reiterated his unwavering commitment to their welfare.

The Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operation Unit “Zone C” is made up of the 11 states of the South East and South South geopolitical zones.