The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun Area 1 Command announced on Tuesday that from February to December 6, 2022, its agents confiscated N4,886,647,654.92 worth of contraband, including 73 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, 2,250 packets of Tramadol, and 41 sacks and 940 wraps of Cannabis Sativa.

Speaking to reporters in Idiroko on Tuesday, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, the Command’s Customs Area Controller, disclosed that among other items seized were 31 compressors, 16,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 19 motorcycles.
Controller Makinde states, “The Command recorded a total of 842 seizures in the wake of our anti-smuggling operations conducted in the period under review in different parts of Ogun State, including the creeks, border lines, approved and unapproved routes.”

This comprises 44,933 50 kg smuggled foreign parboiled rice bags, or 73 trailer loads, in total. The others are as follows: 99 vehicles were utilized as means of conveyance; 8 foreign used vehicles (Tokunbo) were utilized, one of which was a 2020 grey Wrangler Jeep with chassis number ICAHIXDN6LW 161338;

six used trucks used for transportation; thirty-one compressor units; sixteen,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); nineteen motorcycles used for transportation; five hundred and twenty-nine bales and two hundred sacks of used clothing; three thousand and eighty-four pieces of used tires; four thousand and seven hundred bags of cement; thirty-one bales and ninety-four pieces of used bags; forty-one sacks and ninety-four wraps of Cannabis Sativa (book and coconut sizes); one hundred and seventy cartons of poultry products; 220 pieces and 867 cartons of foreign wine; 277 pairs, 320 sacks, and 120 cartons of foreign shoes; 89 bales and 485 pieces of foreign cloth; 302 sacks of foreign corn; 191 units of vehicle compressors; 2,250 packets of Tramadol; 222 units of refrigerator compressors.

“The aforementioned goods have a total DPV of N4,886,647,654.92. With the assistance of extended patrols and round-the-clock observation, we were able to document the aforementioned seizures. Y efficient application of intelligence.

Regarding revenue, Controller Makinde clarified that during the time under examination, the Command brought in N58,676,751.00.

“The assessment of merchandise in baggage and the import and export of goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) are the activities that generate revenue for the Command.” Additionally, it makes money through the auction sales of extremely flammable or perishable products like Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

During the year under review, the Command generated N58, 676,751.00 through the sale of petroleum products at auction and import duties.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)’s Oban 1 Area Command carries out its anti-smuggling operations by assigning staff to staff all authorized border posts and handle patrol and surveillance responsibilities.

“The Command uses intelligence to support its actions to a sufficient degree. The Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and its different parts are followed in doing this. For example, Customs officers have the authority to examine properties under Section 147 of the CEMA Cap C45 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. These premises are those alleged to have been used to conceal or store smuggled, illegal, restricted or dutiable products

Officers are authorized to search licensed premises under Section 148, search persons are authorized to search under Section 150, and service officers are authorized to patrol at will under Section 158. Controller Makinde said, “Section 8 gives Customs Officers the same power as the Police with regard to enforcement duties, while Section 167 also gives power to detain and make seizure and search vehicles and aircraft.”