CUSTOMS SEIZE OVER #100 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS IN ENUGU AND IMO STATES

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit, Zone C Owerri has intercepted goods with the duty paid value of over one hundred million naira in Imo and Enugu states within the last one month.

The items included over 2,500 bags of foreign rice, truck load of used refrigerators and more than 500 bales of used clothes.

Briefing Newsmen on the latest seizures recorded by the Zone, the Area Comptroller in charge of South East and South South, Mr. Kayode Olusemire, said his men intercepted over 400 bags of rice concealed in a truck conveying bags of cement within Owerri axis of the road connecting Rivers and Imo states.

Mr. Olusemire explained that a vehicle loaded with 21 bags of cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, was seized at the Bridge Head Onitsha, where the driver abandoned the vehicle following a hot chase by his men.

According to the Area Comptroller, “we have a trailer of rice here it was concealed in trailer as if it was carrying cement but the officers they were eagle eyed; they were able to pick it up; this one is carrying used fridges, it is absolutely prohibited.”

Mr. Olusemire while conducting newsmen round some seized items in Enugu, said seven trucks conveying over 2,000 bags of foreign rice and bales of second hand clothes from Aba to Enugu were intercepted following a tip off.

“For the past two three weeks we have laid siege on this area that has resulted in seizing in seven trailers of second hand clothing, which amounted to about 561 bales, also we have rice and other items.”

The Area Comptroller noted that three suspects were being prosecuted in connection with the crime and warned that the service would stop at nothing to end smuggling in the country.

Mean while, used tyres, shoes and household items seized by the unit were also displayed to newsmen.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU