In a renewed anti smuggling drive on the Western water ways, the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has within the last two months has intercepted and seized smuggled goods worth N352,952,200.
This was revealed by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi while briefing news men at the Command's headquarters in Ibafon- Apapa, Lagos on Tuesday.
I'mThe CAC, who is barely two months in the command said the recent operation was part of the Command’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, protect the economy and uphold the rule of law. He emphasized that security lapses can no longer be taken lightly, especially at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multiple security challenges.
He noted that over the past few weeks, the Command’s officers, known for their discipline and dedication, had conducted a series of targeted operations along maritime routes.
These operations according to Ntadi resulted in the interceptions and seizures of dangerous and illegal smuggled goods, which pose serious threats to the country’s economic stability and social well-being of this Nation. These seizures represent a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N352,952,200 (Three hundred and Fifty two million, Nine hundred and fifty two thousand, two hundred Naira) only.
Giving a breakdown of the seized items, Compt. Ntadi informed that they comprises of 2,017 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, valued at N212,995,200; seven sacks of 50kg sugar, valued at N672,000; seventy-two rolls of foreign plain textile material, with a DPV of N71,280,000; and 481 loaves of cannabis sativa, with a street value of N50,505,000 which were handed over to the representative of the NDLEA, Acting Commander Morrison Emmanuel Udoh.
Other items also seized by the marine operatives includes Nine boats comprising of 4 fibre and 5 wooden boats which were means of conveyance.
The CAC stated that this marks a significant blow to criminal networks engaged in smuggling and illegal trade, and it demonstrates the Command’s commitment to ensuring that only lawful commerce thrives within the country.
He attributed the Command’s performance to the encouragement and backing the command has received from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi MFR and his management team.
Ntadi also attributed the Command’s success to enhanced intelligence gathering, improved synergy with other sister and security agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Marine Police, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as the deployment of more patrol vessels across the coastlines and inland waterways.
While urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in our waterways, Compt. Ntadi reaffirmed it's commands commitment to safeqaurding the Western waterways and protecting government establishment within his area of jurisdiction.
On the demolision exercise around the command's headquarters, the comptroller said the exercise is to provide a more conducive working environment for his officers and also to get rid the of hoodlums who have made the area a business hive for their illegal operations, he added that the illegal structures have defaced the entrance to the premises.
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