Customs FOU Owerri Intercepts Drugs Worth N529m

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Ibrahim showing press men around impounded vehicles

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, (FOUC) Zone ‘C’ intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products including tramadol and other contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N529, 056,456 million between January 1st and February 28th, 2022.

A statement by the Unit Public Relations Officer, Jerry Attah quoting the Unit Comptroller, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, added that six suspects were arrested during the period under review, even as he disclosed that the said suspects have been granted administrative bail.

Ibrahim who made the disclosure at Owerri on Thursday during a press conference to showcase the seizures, said amongst the seized items are 640 cartons of  unregistered pharmaceuticals worth N192 million.

Some of the seized offensive goods

According to the Unit Controller, the above offensive pharmaceutical product was conveyed in a DAF heavy duty truck and one J5 transit bus, and were intercepted along the Okada/Benin axis.

He added that 1,650 bales 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 impounded 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. Other seizures include eight exotic vehicles without relevant customs documents.

The vehicles include 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.

Ibrahim 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 of the unit who died while on duty.

Ibrahim with some of his mgmt chiefs during the briefing

“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.”

The Owerri FOU boss warned that the unit will continue to come hard on smugglers who persist in their nefarious activities anywhere within the jurisdiction; even as he urged smugglers to have a change of attitude and embrace legitimate trade.

“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.

According to him, the Service is synergising with other security agencies to ensure continued safety of its officers and men.  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.