The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri of Nigeria Customs Service said it has intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products including tramadol as well as other contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value of N529,056,456 million between January 1st and February 28th of year 2022.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Unit , Comptroller Ali Ibrahim who made this known on Thursday while showcasing the seized items to o news men in Owerri said that six suspects were arrested during the period under review and had been granted administrative bail.
Comptroller Ali disclosed that 640 cartons of unregistered pharmaceuticals worth N192 million, conveyed in a DAF heavy duty truck and one J5 transit bus were intercepted along the Okada/Benin axis.
He said that 1,650 bale’s of used clothing valued at N165 million were intercepted along the Umuikaa/Aba road while 181 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice worth over N7.2 million were intercepted along the Akwa-Ibom/Calabar axis.
Also intercepted were 2,239 pieces of used pneumatic tyres valued at N4.5 million and 36,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products concealed in polyethylene bags, worth N3.6 million.
Also, eight exotic vehicles without relevant customs documents including three Toyota Hilux of 2017, 2020 and 2021 models; one Land Cruiser Prado 2016 model ; one Toyota Highlander 2014 and one Toyota Venza 2016 model among others.
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and his management team for their unwavering support and motivation while commiserating with families and loved ones of four officers who died while on duty.
According to the Unit boss, the Service is synergizing with other security agencies to ensure continued safety of its officers and men.
” We thank the management of the Nigeria Customs Service led by our Comptroller-General without whom these noteworthy achievements would not have been possible.
” I also commend our officers and men for their patriotic commitment to duty even in the face of unprovoked attacks,and sympathize with families and loved ones of our officers who paid the supreme price ; may their souls rest in peace.
” Similarly, I urge all economic saboteurs to turn a new leaf from their illegal business, as we are more resolute to ensure untiring implementation of Government’s fiscal policy within our areas of coverage without any deterrence”, he said.
He however called on traditional and religious leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians to advise their followers to desist from attacking security personnel, in the interest of peace and progress.
