Emmanuel OchayiThe Nigerian Customs Agency has reported seizing contraband worth over N900 million from August to October 2023. This revelation comes from the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Mailafiya Magaji, who shared the details in a statement.
According to the statement, the agency’s officers confiscated a haul, including 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 66,000 capsules of Tramadol, and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice. The value of these seizures exceeded N900 million, with a duty paid value of 50 million Naira for the Tramadol and additional arrests involving 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The agency’s operations were carried out in various states across the country, with arrests conducted along waterways and beach axes. Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, the Customs Area Controller, emphasized the importance of adhering to the government’s fiscal policies and prohibitions for the sake of national security and economic progress.
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Furthermore, the Western Marine Command of customs played a pivotal role in this success, seizing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), which were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“It is noteworthy that in August 2023, the WMC seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.
“The cumulative value of the ten seizures conducted by the WMC from August to October 2023 amounts to N923,794,000 Naira only,” he added.
In addition to their seizures, the Nigerian Customs Agency revealed that it generated over N11 billion in revenue within the same three-month period. This revenue was remitted to the federal government’s account. The Customs Area Controller, Ben Oramalugo, attributed this surge in revenue generation to the agency’s commitment to trade facilitation and enforcement of customs laws.
The total revenue collection for the Command from January to October 2023 stands at N59,087,983,670.64, highlighting the agency’s effectiveness in carrying out its duties.
This achievement was made possible through sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration among various units of the Nigeria Customs Service in Oyo and Osun States, including the Federal Operations Unit and Border Drill.
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