Customs impounds ‘DHL truck’, N256m smuggled poultry products

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘C’ Owerri has impounded a truck 24,273 cartons of imported frozen poultry products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N256,264,200.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Unit, Onuigbo Ifeoma, quoted the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu as saying the items “cleverly and deceitfully concealed in a Scania truck with an inscription ‘DHL’ were seized along the Benin axis in Edo State”.

Haruna explained that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items impounded stood at N256,264,200 “just as three suspects were arrested by the eagle-eyed Customs men on duty in connection with the illegal business”.

The Customs Comptroller, who spoke of the consequences  associated with the consumption of foreign frozen poultry products preserved with chemicals meant for the preservation of dead bodies, regretted that a number of untimely deaths had occurred as a result of this.

He explained that the NCS had continued to ensure maximum media publicity in respect of the dangers posed to human health by imported frozen poultry products and warned those still engrossed in the illicit business to desist forthwith in their own interest or face the full weight of the law.

 Represented by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Mr. Oladesu Shola, he regretted that while the Nigeria Customs had remained resolute, consistent and diligent in the war against smuggling, those involved in the unpatriotic act had continued to devise and perfect many plans to achieve their illegal ambitions.

 He said the NCS is now well fortified, better equipped, trained and transformed to deal decisively with smugglers wherever they operate with a “superlative intelligence gathering system”.