- Ogun Customs intercepts N4.8bn Cannabis Sativa, tramadol, others
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) team at the Idiroko border point has commended the efforts of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its significant seizures and trade facilitation at the Ogun 1 Command.
NAGAFF Idiroko Chapter Chairman, Hon. Uche Nwabude made this satisfactory remark while speaking with The News Diet earlier today on the activities at Idiroko border point.
Recall that the Ogun Area 1 Command of the NCS, on Tuesday revealed that between February and December 6, 2022, its seized 41 sacks and 940 wraps of Cannabis Sativa, 2,250 packets of Tramadol, 73 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice and other contraband worth N4.886 billion.
Addressing journalists in Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde also revealed that the seizures included 31 units of Compressors, 16,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 19 units of Motorcycles amongst other seizures.
“In the wake of our anti-smuggling operations conducted in the period under review in different parts of Ogun State, including the creeks, border lines, approved and unapproved routes, the Command recorded a total number of 842 seizures.
“This includes 44,933 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, an equivalence of 73 Trailer loads. Others are as follows: Vehicles used as Means of Conveyance: 99 Units; Foreign Used Vehicles (Tokunbo), 8 Units including one year 2020 Grey coloured Wrangler Jeep with chasis no ICAHIXDN6LW 161338
“Six units of used Trucks as means of conveyance; 31 units of Compressors; 16,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 19 units of Motorcycle (Means of Conveyance); 517 bales and 219 sacks of Secondhand clothing; 3,629 pieces of used tyres; 4700 bags of cement; 3 bales and 384 pieces of used bags; 41 sacks and 940 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Book and Coconut sizes); 170 cartons of poultry products; 191 units of vehicle compressors; 2,250 packets of Tramadol; 222 units of refrigerator compressors; 220 pieces and 867 cartons of foreign wine; 277 pairs, 320 sacks and 120 cartons of foreign shoes; 89 bales and 485 pieces of foreign textile; and 302 sacks of foreign corn,” he said.
Speaking on these developments, the NAGAFF Chapter Chairman, Nwabude posited that Customs carrry out intensive round-the-clock surveillance and patrol activities to enable them achieve this.
He equally observed that the Customs Command under the exemplary leadership of Comptroller Makinde has prioritized stakeholders engagements, effective deployment of intelligence and sharing information with other security agencies.
“What we have at Idiroko border region is a crop of distinguished Customs officers led by an inspiring and diligent leader in Comptroller Bamidele Makinde. The results or scorecard shows clearly the amount of work being carried out by the Command. However, beyond the seizures and revenue generation, I’m delighted with the level of engagements and collaborations with all classes of stakeholders at the border, he said.
Nwabude assured that Customs can count on a robust and harmonious relationship with NAGAFF at the border region, even as he stressed that freight forwarders would go about their business transactions in a professional manner and in compliance to the Customs law.
