The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday disclosed that it recorded a total of 707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of N18,710,143,801.24 between January to December 2024.
Addressing the media in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Kola Oladeji revealed that a total number of 94 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and six persons have been convicted for various offences.
According to Controller Kola Oladeji, “Our commitment at combating smuggling and ensuring maximum compliance to the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 has yielded series of seizures and arrests from January 2024 till date. “These achievements underscore our determination to protect the Nation’s economy and security against illicit Cross Border Trade and movement around our Borders.
“We have been working relentlessly to improve smuggling detection methods, leveraging on intelligence to stay ahead of smugglers and prevent the importation of prohibited and harmful products.
“The newly inaugurated “Operation Swift Sting” has recorded remarkable success in the fight against illicit Cross Border Trade with impressive smuggling with impressive arrest in just two weeks. Through this operation, we arrested a significant amount of cannabis Sativa, 4,010 bags of foreign parboiled rice in with 50kg bag each, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), along with other contraband items.
“It is clear that “Operation Swift Sting” is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartel at the same time ensuring facilitation of compliant Trade with impressive outcome.
“94 Defendants were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and six persons have been convicted for various offences. This demonstrates our quest to bring perpetrators to justice and also ensure deterrence from illicit Trade.
“707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of N18,710,143,801.24 were intercepted from January 2024 till date. Prominent among the seizures are: 48,912 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each; 191,975 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 7,861 kg of Cannabis sativa; 6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins; 37,630 sachets of Tramadol; 207 units of Motor Vehicles (some of which were arrested for short payment of Duty and later cleared after payment of outstanding Duty); 6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 1,433 bales of used clothes; 1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors; and 317 cartons of illicit medicament.
“In addition to the seizures, so far in 2024, we collected revenue through careful documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices to consignments that were found to have underpaid Customs Duty. The sum of N1, 012, 783, 437.21 was generated through these efforts. This also underscore the importance of careful monitoring and intelligence at preventing smuggling and ensuring that all imports are properly declared and taxed.
“Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. Hence, the Service is calling on all citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit Cross Border Trade.
“In the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, we also raised awareness about its dangers and the importance of complying with Customs regulations. We remain resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.
“I commend the Cooperation and support of all Security Agencies, Media practitioners and other stakeholders, and the general public in providing timely information support and advice. In the same vain I extend my deepest appreciation to our gallant officers for their unwavering commitment and Service to our dear Nation. Your unrelenting efforts at preventing the importation of prohibited and harmful products, dedication to protecting our Nation’s economy and security do not go unnoticed. Thank you for the hard work and sacrifices. We are proud to have you at the Nation’s frontiers.
“We thank our able Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management for their unending and unflinching support to achieve these great feat. Your effort is making a significant impact.”
