Business

Outfoxing smugglers at Tin Can ports

The ammunition and the Toyota Camry it was concealed in

…Customs seizes concealed piston, ammunition

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As the Eneke the bird reminded the hunter, “you have learned to shoot without missing your mark, I have learned to fly without perching on a twig” so as men of the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) Tin-Can Command have proven they have learned to outfox smugglers.

Last weekend, the NCS Command of the Tin Can Island Port bursted concealment of pistol and ammunition in an imported Toyota Camry during routine examination.

In a release available to Nation Update signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), SC, Uche Ejesieme, disclosed how their eagle – eyed operatives unearthed the hidden arms.

He said, “Our operatives at the Five-Star Logistics terminal while on routine examination on August 28, 2021, stumbled on a pistol with its magazine inside a Toyota camry car at the exit point.”

Ejesieme further stated, “it’s in line with our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),” the DSS, Police and other security Agencies were invited to the scene.

“Thereafter the exhibits were taken to Customs Enforcement Unit for safe custody, pending a formal report to Customs headquarters on Monday for further directives.”

“We are using this opportunity to once again advise importers and their agents to desist from getting involved in such offensive imports, particularly items like these on the list of Absolute Prohibition in view of the dire consequences.”

Abdullahi and Comptroller General Hameed Ali

In his directive, Comptroller Musa Abdullahi the Customs Area Controller(CAC), of the Command, ordered for immediate investigation into the case, in order to unravel the syndicates behind it; and to ensure a truncation of their supply chain”.

Abdullahi lamented that the command’s zero stands on smuggling continue to expose unwillingness of most Nigerian importers to comply with the law of the land even when they religiously comply to that of other countries.

It is however a well known fact that being in possession of smuggled item is an offence punishable under section 3 of Customs and Excise (Special Penal and Other Provision) Act Cap 47 laws of federation of Nigeria 2004.

Those indicted in illegal smuggling to spend up to one year imprisonment without an option of fine.