Customs seize smuggled timbers in Imo, arrest two suspects

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Imo State, says it intercepted three trucks conveying six containers of logs of unprocessed timber.

This is contained in a statement by the Zone ‘C’ Public Relations Officer, Mr Jerry Attah, on Monday.

Attah said that the Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘C’, Ag. ACG Olusemire Kayode, who stated this while displaying the intercepted items at the zonal headquarters, Port Harcourt on Monday, added that two suspects were arrested in connection to the seizure.

Kayode said, “On July 16, 2021, around 2 pm, one of the surveillance teams of FOU Zone ‘C’, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted three trucks conveying containers of logs of rough timber along the industrial road, Port- Harcourt.

“We also arrested two suspected smugglers, who were attempting to export the unprocessed logs but they have been released on administrative bail.

“Exportation of rough timber which contravenes Schedule 6 of the extant CET comes with negative economic and environmental effects and must not be condoned.”

He added that the logs were about to be smuggled out of the country without clearance from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.