Customs’ Strike Force Dare Smugglers
. *Seize goods worth N1.09 Billion*
By Joe Njoku
The Nigeria Customs Comptroller General Strike Force Zone ‘A’, under the able leadership of the Coordinator, CGC Srike Force, Deputy Controller Mohammed Sani Yusuf has continued hitting dare devil smugglers where it pains most. Daring these dangerous illicit trade promoters with staggering seizures of various goods worth N1,009,676,00 between the Months of October and November, 2022.
A breakdown of the seized items include; 1010 bags of 50kg parboiled foreign rice, 376.4kg of Pangolin Scales. 100 Cartons of Red wine, 40kg of Indian hemp, 58 bales of used clothing and 35 Units of 25 litres Jerry cans of PMS.
During this period under review, 3 suspects were arrested in connection with the offences and have been released on administrative bail.
In their quest to prevent revenue loss through under declaration, underpayment and wrong classification, the total sum of N537,905, 304.00 was realized following the issuance of Demand Notices (DN) on offenders.
On the illicit poaching of Pangolin for their scales, the Strike Force Coordinator said, ” the Pangolin is an endangered specie and a ban on poaching this animal among other species was imposed in 2016 Convention held in Flora, South Africa.
Continuing, he stated that the Unit has cumulatively generated a sum total of N5,254,784.650 as against the sum of N3,588,016,694 which translates to N1,666,676,957 difference, representing 32% increase through DN, underpayment and wrong classification.
The Unit has also made numerous seizures with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N8,500, 903,673.00 in the period under review.
The CGC Strike Force is ensuring that no stone is left unturned to curtail snuggling in all ramification. ” We have intensified efforts to continually confiscate as well as Seize smuggled items and also arrest the perpetrators. It is our hope and believe that these seizures, revenue recoveries and arrests of economic saboteurs will serve as a deterrent to would be smugglers and duty evaders,” he add.
By Joe Njoku
Proudly MAJAN.
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