CUSTOMS FOU Zone ‘B’ impounds 72 sacks of garri flakes laden with Cannabis

... Discover new tricks of Smugglers

The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘B’ Kaduna has impounded a total of 72 bags of cassava flakes also known as garri laden with cannabis in Zamfara State.

The FOU Zone B Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Albashir Hamisu described this as a spectacular seizure of 72 sacks of illicit drug (Marijuana) brought to the fore another tricks by smugglers and means of concealment.

Comptroller Hamisu said In the case of this seizures, the smuggler concealed the Marijuana inside sacks of cassava flour, adding that the Operatives of the Unit with the aid of informant intercepted the marijuana along Sokoto-Zamfara axis and brought it to the office.

He stated that FOU operations are in line with sections 139 (provisions as to detention, seizure and condemnation of goods) and Section 158 (empowers officers to patrol freely) as enshrine in Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004, as amended.

He said further that the FOU Zone B, has a mandate of suppressing smuggling activities in the Zone which comprises the entire North West including Niger, Kogi, Kwara and FCT in the North Central, pointing out that other function of the Unit includes translation of Federal Government Fiscal Policies into reality with a view to make the economy remain attractive and healthy.

Comptroller Hamisu affirmed that 72 sacks of cannabis sativa (Marijuana) with a total #2,617,920.00 would be handed over to the Commandant National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kaduna State Command today on the spirit of Inter-agency collaboration.

The seizure between November and 20 December 2022, the Comptroller disclosed that the Zone intercepted a total of 161 seizures of various contraband goods within the period under review with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N351,508,658.56 . He said.

The Area Controller said three suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures and later released on administrative bail. noting that the Command under his watch shall continue to arrest anyone indulging in smuggling activities within the Zone.

Comptroller Hamisu said the zone record has shown that the Unit made a total 949 interceptions at different locations in the Zone from 1 January to 20 December 2022 with combined DPV of N2, 345,155,577.38) only in contrast to the seizures made in the Year 2021 with DPV of N1, 319,332,763.00 only.

"As the Comptroller of the Unit, I would continue to operate an open door policy, give a sense of belonging to all Officers/Men and other critical stakeholders as well as instill discipline, for us to better fulfill the Unit's mandate.

"Let me warned the smugglers that want to take advantage of the Yuletide season to stay clear of the Zone, I want them to know that our operatives are on red alert and vigilant to tame smuggling activities during the festive period with a view of arresting and prosecuting them.

"It is my humble advice to smugglers to turn a new leaf and embrace the Federal Government agricultural policy and massive investment in Local rice production, so that they can create employment and boost the food security in the Country,"he stated.

The Items intercepted by officers and men of units within the period under review include:

2114x50Kg Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice - N104,597,231.90

, 126 Bales & Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Clothing -N18,820,777.50

65 x 25Kg Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice- N1,608,046.38,

818 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous- N5,943,964.28,

8 Units of Means of Conveyance (Vehicles), N59,162,337.00

, 102 Cartons of Foreign Carotone Body Cream - N15,235,867.50,

102 Cartons of Foreign Eva Soap- N6,279,732.00,

69 x 5Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil - 848,010.00,

30 x 25 Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil - 843,500.00,

Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Shoes - 597,485.00,

Sacks of Foreign Tomato Paste - N134,944.20,