Customs Impounds N281M Contraband goods in South east

                                                  
In line with the anti- smuggling efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit(FOU) Zone 'C', Owerri has intercepted contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N281,258,822.

The Unit which recovered  N25,356,397.00 as total underpayment, also arrested 32 suspects in connection with the illegal business, while 21 cases are now in courts.

The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Dimka Victor David fsi disclosed this in statement  after showcasing the items deposited at the premises of the NCS in Owerri and Benin. He explained that the seizures which were made between the 30th of September and 9th of this month within the South east and South south zone was as a result of the renewed vigor of the officers and men of the unit and the support of some sister agencies.

He listed the items to include 325 bales of second hand clothing with a DPV of N41,570,000.00; 526 pieces of foreign used tyres with a DPV of N3,156,000.00; 100 cartons of rubber slippers which had a DPV of N41,320,000.00 and 3 vehicles with a DPV of N5,659,125.00, which were all recorded within the Owerri axis.

Additionally, the CAC of the FOU Zone 'C' said that a total of 46 vehicles with a DPV of N222,287,855.00; 3 vehicles with a DPV of N3,517,842.00  and 40 bags of 50kg rice with a DPV of N748,000.00 , (52 vehicles in all) were equally made in Benin, Calabar and Enugu accordingly.

Dimka disclosed that the latest feat was accomplished by the combined efforts of officers and men on duty who he said are irrevocably determined to see that smugglers, their sponsors and collaborators are apprehended and brought to book.

Dimka, who describe as stupid, appalling and absurd the persistent scourge of smuggling in the country despite obvious severe penalties for culprits involved said "we are painstakingly doing our investigation and we will definitely get to the root of this cases and bring all involved to book, while those in court would be compelled to answer for what they have done."

He made it clear that the current Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali Ibrahim (Rtd.) has ZERO TOLERANCE for corruption and his poised to ensure that maximum revenue is collected for the nation.

He assured that the NCS would continue to strengthen her collaboration with all sister agencies including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police Force, DSS, Nigeria Civil Defence, NAFDAC and FRSC as the CGC is currently doing, until the battle against smuggling is won.

Dimka therefore implored well meaning Nigerians to spread the gospel of anti-Smuggling and to always avail his me of information bordering on smuggling for necessary action, stressing that this is a wake -up call which requires all hands to be on deck to move the nation forward.