Seme Customs Intercepts N3.9bn Cocaine

As Unrelenting Offensive Puts Petroleum Smugglers In Disarray

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of eleven (11) parcels of substance suspected to be Cocaine in a Ford Transit bus conveying religious books.

The seized cocaine and petroleum products on display

According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Bello Mohammed Jibo, a lone suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, adding that the Command’s sustained offensive against smuggling and all acts of economic sabotage has also led to the interception of large quantities of petroleum products, Wednesday, 26 January 2022.

Jibo who was quoted in a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Hussaini Abdullahi, as saying that the offensive would be sustained, disclosed that the seized petroleum products were packaged in cellophane sacks.

While urging those involved in illegitimate trade to have a change of mind and embrace legitimate businesses, he promised to make the area difficult for those who do not wish the country good.

He said, “The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has initiated offensive patrol against the smuggling of petroleum products along the creeks within the Seme and Badagry axis. This renewed effort led to the interception of large quantities of petroleum products packaged in sacks on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.

“The aforementioned items were successfully evacuated to the Command premises where an examination was conducted. One thousand and sixty-five (1065) jerry cans of petroleum products thirty (30) litres each, equivalent to thirty one thousand, nine hundred and fifty (31,950) litres, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Ten million, Forty One Thousand, One Hundred And Ninety-Eight Naira N10,041,198.00) only.

“The offensive crackdown on the activities of the petroleum products smugglers is with a mission of getting them arrested wherever they are. He reassured that the Command will continue to make life uncomfortable for the unpatriotic Nigerians trading illegal businesses in the area.”

Jibo explained that the cocaine which was intercepted along Seme- Badagry Expressway at about 09:00 hrs on Sunday 23 January 2022, was the outcome of the command’s special monitoring patrol team.

“Officers and Men of the Command while conducting stop and search along Seme- Badagry Expressway intercepted eleven (11) parcels of substance suspected to be Cocaine in a Ford Transit bus conveying religious books. Also, one suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Consequently, the substance was subjected to test and verification by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and was found to be cocaine weighing *11.913kg.

“The street value of the items was estimated to be Three Billion, Nine Hundred And Sixteen Million, Six Hundred And Twenty-Four Thousand, One Hundred And Forty-Seven Naira (N3, 916,624,147.00) only.”