Customs FOU ‘A’ Intercepts 9,857 Parcels Of Cannabis Sativa, Others Worth N1Bn In One Month 

Mobolaji Michael 

THE Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ has intercepted some smuggled items for contravening various sections of Customs laws.

In its monthly press briefing for May, the Ag. Comptroller in charge of the Unit, DC Hussein Ejibunu, said some of the wares were intercepted for either violating the guidelines on the importation/exportation of goods, concealment, undervaluation, wrong classification and smuggling. Others were seized for contravening policy directives as it is in the case of foreign parboiled rice.

According to him, “Detentions and seizures recorded within the period under review amounted to 79 seizures, with a total duty paid value of N1,025,905,110”. 

Notable among the seized items are: 6,861 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each (equivalent to 12 trailer loads), 1,236 jerry cans X 25 litres (30,900 litres) of petroleum, 9,857 parcels (5,338 kg) of cannabis sativa, 2 X 20 of unprocessed wood. 4 units of used vehicles (Tokunbo), 40 X 5 jerry cans of vegetable oil. 54 bales of second-hand clothing. He also said four suspects were arrested in connection with some of the intercepted goods.

“For ongoing prosecution of suspects, the Federal High Court at Abeokuta, Ogun State, sentenced Musa Oloyede, Fishing Godwin David and Adeniyi Alaye, to two years imprisonment for assaulting our officers while carrying out their statutory duties”. Ejibunu noted.

On revenue, the unit generated the sum of N38,355,362.88 through documentary checks, followed by the issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duty.

“Consequent to the social effect of cannabis sativa on the youths, it becomes very worrisome that a total of 9,857 parcels were seized in a single swoop”. Ejibunu noted.

“Crime experts have found a direct relationship between the intake of this controlled plant and violent crimes”, he emphasized.

“We are conscious of this challenge and will continually cut the supply chain of illicit drugs and other prohibited substances” he further stressed.

He urged citizens to promptly share useful information with operatives that will assist to checkmate the menace of smuggling. 

“Since smuggling is a crime that deals in illegal trade, such as illicit drugs and prohibited weapons, Nigerians should see insecurity and other crimes as products of smuggling”. he stated. 

“The perpetrators should be considered as common enemies of the land that must be jointly fought by all citizens”, he concluded.

Eighteen-Eleven Media