Idiroko (Ogun, Nigeria): The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, has seized contraband goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,586,008,982 in various locations in the state.
Mr Oladapo Afeni, the Area Comptroller, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Idiroko.
Afeni explained that on Dec.12, the command intercepted an Iveco truck with registration number RMY 354 XA, laden with 4,998 cartons of Dogs brand Spaghetti of 10kg each.
He added that the other seizure was 419 cartons of Oba brand Spaghetti, each weighing 10kg, illegally imported from Turkey.
The area comptroller added that on Dec. 13, the command also intercepted a DAK truck with registration number JHN 590 XA, carrying 2,200 kegs of vegetable oil, every 25 litres of Indonesian origin.
“These food items are designated as contraband goods and are absolutely prohibited for importation in Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the food items stands at N291, 260, 000, while the trucks used as means of conveyance are worth N222, 000, 000.
Afeni highlighted other items seized, including 11 wraps weighing 12kg of Crystal Meth (Ice), 16 pieces weighing 16kg, 128 pieces of Cannabis sativa of unknown size, and 2,752 wraps of coconut size.
Others are 2 units of used vehicles, 4,738 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, 401 pieces of booklet size, totalling 3,373 and weighing 1,502 kg, 6,750 litres of premium motor spirit.
Also, 8 units of means of conveyance and 309 bundles of used pneumatic tires.
He said that the total DPV of these seizures was ₦1,586,008,982.
Afeni said the seizures were intercepted at different locations within the state, including the Lusada/Ado-Odo-Ota axis, the Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, the Abeokuta axis, Imeko, the Idiroko/Owode axis, and the Ipokia axis.
The comptroller said that the command was able to make the remarkable seizures through technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration.
He said that the command also generated 27,291,861,00 in revenue within 16 days in December.
Afeni commended the relentless efforts of officers and men of the command for the remarkable achievement despite daunting challenges.
The comptroller also applauded the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, for his dynamic leadership, unflinching support, and consistent encouragement.
He lauded the collaborative efforts of all sister agencies, traditional institutions, local informants, community leaders, and the youth whose support had continued to enhance the command’s operations.
Afeni reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to sustain this momentum.