Western Marine Customs impounds Contraband Worth Over N900m

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Western Marine Command (WMC) has recorded ten seizures between 31st August and 4th October 2023, leading to the recovery a total Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N923,794,000.00.

Seizures made includes 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice collectively exceeding a duty paid value of 50 million Naira. Some of which operations were conducted along the Moba waterways and the Sanki beach axis, in line with the prevailing fiscal policies of government.

The WMC In accordance with its primary mandate outlined in Section 4 of the NCS Act 2023, executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities, resulting in the arrest and seizure of significant illegal goods.

In a statement issued on Friday by Mailafiya Magaji, Superitendent Customs, Spokesperson of the Command sighted by Nation Update stated that during the operations, officers and men of the Command confiscated 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), totaling 663.5kg in September and October 2023.

In a related incident, the Command seized 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during two separate arrests on the 27th of October 2023.

It is noteworthy that in August 2023, the WMC seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.

Comptroller Salefu emphasizes once again the imperative for the general public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions. These measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria.