Western Marine Command Intercepts 12,500 Liters Premium Motor Spiri
In its continous drive against reign of smuggling activities on the Western Waterways and Creeks, the Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service intercepted One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred (12,500) Liters.
Addressing the press on Friday at the command head office in Ibafon, Apapa Lagos, the new Area Controller in charge of the command, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye disclosed that the seizure was made along Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway en-route Benin Republic at about 23:30 hours on Wednesday, 8th May, 2024.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the 12,500 liters PMS is sum up at Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N8,750,000) only.
Comptroller Bamisaiye, disclosed that the officers got intelligence information while on joint patrol by Teams in the Command that two (2) Boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in Sacks.
And on receiving the information the team moved into Isalu Creeks Badagry Waterway where the seizure was made while the smugglers took to their heels on sighting the officers.
He added that on careful examination of the arrest at the Command Headquarters, it was found to contain One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of the 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The command boss hinted that the PMS seizure is economically significant coming at a period when the country is experiencing it’s scarcity. “This Seizure is most economically significant to the Command at this period of scarcity of Petroleum Products especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in our cities, and shows the anticipatory posture in our response to economic saboteurs’ Bamisaiye said.
He disclosed that the action of the smugglers contraven Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which the service through Western Marine Command is responsible for enforcing.
He added that the Command under his leadership is more poised than ever to rid the Waterways of all acts of smuggling and economy sabotage for the benefit of the growth of Nigeria economy.