The Nigeria Customs Service ((NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’ Owerri has intercepted a truck suspected of carrying adulterated diesel product.
According to the Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, the exhibit was discovered to have been hidden in a specially constructed tank for illegal bunkering and also concealed with 256 sacks of expired animal feeds to evade arrest.
The seized adulterated petroleum product causes blockages of heavy duty machines and generators, which equally emit hazardous carbon monoxide, that are detrimental to the health.
Comptroller Mohammed who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the latest feat recorded by his men in respect of the onslaught against smuggling said that a suspect was arrested in connection with the crime and would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil defense corps for prosecution.
Besides, Comptroller Mohammed said that a 1 X 40” container loaded with 1,017 sacks of 50kg cannabis (Indian hemp) estimated at over #16,000 was intercepted on the Benin-Shagamu road also on the 7th of this month.
According to him, the only suspect who claimed to be a student upon interrogation attempted to deceive the Customs men by fraudulently presenting copies of suspected fake customs processed document on importation which was contrary to what was contained in the container.
According to him, the suspect offered a bribe of #350,000.00 in an attempt to avoid arrest, adding that he is currently in custody with the bribe money which now serves as an exhibit along with the container load of cannabis awaiting the estimated value from the relevant agency – NDLEA.
He noted that the increasing tempo of criminality, violence and juvenile delinquency among the youth is traceable to the rampant consumption of hard drugs such as marijuana hence the clamp down on those involved in the illicit business.
“Consumption of cannabis also affects family relationship and we must fight it to the last so as to have a better society,” he stated.
The Customs Controller who subsequently handed over the seized items and the suspect to the Principal Staff Officer (Operation and Intelligence) of the NDLEA Edo State Command Timothy Adewole for further investigation assured that the NCA would continue to collaborate and work in synergy with sister organizations such as NDLEA, NSCDC, NAFDAC to smoothen its operations.
Furthermore, Comptroller Mohammed said that a MAN diesel truck carrying 725 different brand of 50 kg foreign rice with Duty Paid Value of #24,650,000. 00 suspected to have been smuggled into the country through the numerous creeks in Calabar/Cameroun border was similarly intercepted by his men on the 7th of this month.
The Customs Area Controller regretted that the penchant for foreign products by some Nigerians has continued to deal a devastating blow to the nation and her economy while many families have been thrown into agony as a result of the ceaseless unpatriotic activities of smugglers.
He noted that while the nation has continued to lose huge revenue, many lives have been lost consequent upon the unabated practice of smuggling.
