Unbelievable: Smugglers Engage School Children To Traffic Drugs Along Seme-Krake Route

In what may sound unbelievable yet truth, drug barons along the Seme-Krake axis now employ the use of innocent school children in school uniform in carrying out their nefarious activities along the axis.

These unscrupulous drug barons now use these the children as means of conveyance in a bid to avade the eagle eyes of the operative of the security agents alo g the route.

The Customs Area Controller of  Seme, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen at the command even as he warned smugglers to desist from such devilish and inhumane acts.

The Area Controller, while showcasing the Cannabis Sativa with barcodes and Ghanaian labels and premium motor spirit (PMS) seized by his men stated that the command, despite the decline in imports due to high exchange rate, generated the sum of N1.16 billion as revenue in two months which according to him represents 88% of the revenue target for January and February 2024.

In his words, “The Command was given a target of N7.875 billion to collect in the current year. This represents an increase of over 400% in collections compared to the target of 2023. This also translates to a monthly collectible revenue of N656.258 million. In January 2024, the Command collected N643,038,611.16, while in February, we collected N517,950,286.14, making a total of N1,160,988,897.30. This is about 88% of the total expected revenue".

In the area of export,  the CAC disclosed that the command processed 184 export declarations for 43 items with a total weight of 65,185.96 MT and an FOB value of N13.057billion. The total amount collected for NESS was N65.337 million, and N24.407 million as Export Surcharge for previously imported goods.

In the area of enforcement, Bomodi said, “Between January and February 2024, the Command successfully made 168 interventions which resulted in the seizure of 2,193 bags of 50kg (3 trailer load equivalent) foreign parboiled rice, 81,930 liters (3 tankers equivalent), 9 vehicles, 1425 General merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa and other narcotics, 149 packets of codeine and 2 locally manufactured guns. All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365,888,696".

“A total of thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures. Six of them were granted administrative bail, three were handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further agency action, One was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while 3 suspects are still in our custody,” Bomodi said.

Highlighting the importance of the Joint Security Meetings in providing valuable intelligence and opportunities to share ideas, Compt. Bomodi lamented that despite the massive food shortages and inflated prices, some Nigerians have been found engaging in illegal export of food items, and the command not relenting in the fight against smuggling successfully   intercepted a truck loaded with 400 bags of beans meant for illegal export, he informed that the beans will be auctioned to the public in line with the Federal Government directive.

Assuring the public on the command's responsibility, the CAC said, "We would like to assure the public that we will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent upon casting aspersions on our officers, some of whom have paid the ultimate price for the service to their country. Others have been severely maimed and will bear the scars of their bravery to their graves; “These are challenging times for the Nigeria Customs Service. As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at Seme/Krake Joint Border Post will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defense,” Bomodi assured.