Customs Zone C Strike Force lock down Benin axis

Impound 66 Sacks of Cannabis Sativa

 The Nigeria Customs Service, Headquarters Strike Force Zone C, made a show of its abiding mandate to uphold the nation’s fiscal measures and policy direction of government, as it apparently locked down identified routes in the Benin axis, seizing sixty six bales of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known locally as Indian Hemp.

A statement by the Customs Deputy National Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Dalhatu, quoted the Coordinator of the Strike Force Zone C, Deputy Comptroller Yusuf Musa as saying the Team has continued to make strategic seizures that have consequences on national security and economy.

Musa showcasing some of the seized items

Dalhatu an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, said the narcotic weighed 1056 kg, adding that other items seized by the Strike Force Zone C includes 54 cartons of medicaments, 6 bales of second hand clothing and 18,640 pieces of wrist watches.

The others are 40 bales of wrapper, 8 sacks of children wears, 14 cartons of female slippers, 40 bales wrapper and 30 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each); with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N143, 627, 748.20.

According to the statement, the interceptions were made at various locations within Edo state and environs based on credible intelligence. He also quoted Musa as saying that the successful operation was made possible due to high level of motivation accorded the Team by the Customs Comptroller General and his management, which in turn pumped up resilience, commitment and dedication of officers and men of the Team, who at the risk of their personal safety, put in their best to ensure that the job gets done.

The Coordinator, who is a no nonsense, tested and dreaded enforcement officer, expressed the determination of his team to maintain the offensive against smugglers and economic saboteurs, noting that the Customs is not in any way threatened to negotiate its mandate to enforce and implement policies of the federal government.

The Coordinator further appreciates the support of the Comptroller General of Customs and his Management Team for their tireless support through effective supervision and provision of necessary logistics.

While soliciting the support of members of the public towards making the nation socially, economically and environmentally viable by obeying the customs extant laws, he warned that non compliance will also continued to be met with lawful resistance and seizures.

It will be recalled that the Comptroller General of Customs, recently, strategically re-jigged the strike force team across the federation to strengthen the third layer of Customs security against smuggling. This is basically to block revenue leakages and also to suppress smuggling to its barest minimum.