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Customs seize 139 trailers of rice, other banned cargo valued at N10billion 

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The Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it seized rice and other prohibited cargo valued at over N10 billion for the year 2023.

 

Speaking with Newsmen on Wednesday, the Comptroller of the Zone, Controller Hussain Ejubunu, said that the zone made a total of 1,119 seizures with a total duty value of N10.395 billion for the year 2023.

 

Ejubunu added that the most prominent of the seizures was foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

He explained that the seizure comprised vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tyres, poultry products, footwear, petroleum products, etc.

 

The most prominent of the seizures was foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

He said, “We aim to discourage Nigerians from participating in any form of smuggling activity, either as sponsors, couriers, informants, or other forms of enablers.

 

“As a unit charged with anti-smuggling functions in the South West Zone, overseeing an area with international borders, the busiest airport in Nigeria, and the two largest seaports in the country, FOU Zone A area of responsibility is indeed wide.

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“With the morale and logistics support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, we were able to prosecute the fight against smuggling diligently by making seizures, effecting arrests, and collecting revenue for government in the course of discharging our functions.

 

“The report of our seizures and arrests being given to you today attests to the relentless and uncompromising enforcement we deployed in the fight against smuggling in 2023. It is indeed a fallout of the positive energy and selflessness we displayed in the course of our work.

 

“Last year we made 1,119 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N10,395,123,943; comprising of rice, vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tyres, poultry products, footwear, petroleum products, etc. The most prominent of the seizures is foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

“A breakdown of other seizures includes13,706 kegs by 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS 8,372 kg of Indian Hemp 2,942 pieces of tyres 2,153 bales of used clothes 3,095 cartons of frozen poultry
320 cartons of illicit drugs, 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, and 68 pieces of military camouflage.

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Others are 450 drums with 106 kg of carbide, 1 x 40 ft and 2 x 20 ft containers found to contain charcoal, and 132 units of foreign used vehicles.

 

“A total of 136 persons were arrested at various points within our area of responsibility. They were suspected to be smugglers, and after due diligence, uncompromising profiling, and investigation, they were charged to court and are at different stages of prosecution.

 

“16 people were convicted through the Federal High Courts for committing offences of improper importation, assault of Customs officers, being in possession of foreign parboiled rice, and being in possession of Pangolin scales meant for export.

 

“Some other smuggling-related cases instituted in the courts are at various stages of prosecution and would be followed up diligently. This year, 2024, we shall continue, through our legal seat, to follow all pending court cases to logical conclusions.

 

“The unit was able to recover a total of N851,719,905.01 as revenue through meticulous document checking. We were able to identify shortfalls in duty payments from which demand notices were issued, and accurate revenue was recovered. These are revenues that would have been lost by the federal government to the pockets of some compliant businessmen.

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“I want to reiterate that our battle to prevent smuggling will be intensified this year as we have contravened the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. If they don’t desist from their criminal ways, this year will be tougher for them because they will lose their investments and freedom when arrested.

 

“Let me put on record that we shall lawfully arrest and prosecute any individual involved in the attack on our officers who are discharging their legitimate responsibilities. No attacker of our personnel will be spared from facing the full wrath of the law.”

 

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

See also  Customs threaten to impound 29 private jets over import, operational offences

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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