Nigerian Customs burst smugglers with goods worth N91m

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri in Imo State says it has seized contraband items worth N91m in the state.

The Customs Area Controller, Mr Kayode Olusemire, while addressing journalists on Friday, stated that the seized consignments included 936 bags of 50kg rice.

He said the seized bags of foreign rice were repackaged in local rice bags to beat security.

Others are 128 bales of used fabric, a Toyota Hummer bus, a lorry and a van, among others used in conveying the smuggled items.

According to Olusemire, the items were intercepted en route to Imo from Akwa Ibom and Anambra states, while operational activities were carried out simultaneously in other states of the federation.

He, however, expressed the regret that one of the vehicles, which belongs to a popular transportation company, was used to smuggle the goods.

The Customs controller said, “It is regrettable that, while we are waging war against smuggling, these smugglers are devising other means to perpetrate their evil deeds without recourse to the health and safety of Nigerians.”

“We have established communication with the transport company whose bus was used to carry out this heinous act and we assure (the public) that the driver, as well as all other smugglers, will soon be brought to book.”

He further advised consumers to beware of foreign and substandard consumables which are often disguised as locally made and standard, adding that such items pose serious health and safety hazards.