Custom Western Marine Command Make Seizure Of Goods Worth N2.2bn In 2021
LAGOS DECEMBER 24TH (NEWSRANGERS)- The Ag. Customs Area Controller Western Marine Command, DC Enonche Ochiba has revealed that from January, 2021 to date his Command made several seizures with Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2, 215,180,073.4 as against the total DPV of One (#1,104,647,370.00) in the Year 2020 representing over 100% increase.
Ochiba who made the disclosure during a media briefing on the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service Western Marine Command for the year 2021 at Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos on Thursday said these records are strong indication that the operatives of the Command are working tirelessly to combat smuggling on the waterways.
He added that the record of seizure for the year 2021 is the total of seizures from 2017 to 2020 for the Command just as he pointed out that the records a can speak for themselves.
According to him, “It is my pleasure
to inform you that the Officers/Men
of the Command are equipped in the
fight against smuggling along the waterways
as evident by the record of seizures
in the year 2021. The Command has from
January to date made several
seizures with Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) Two
Billion, Two Hundred and Fifteen
Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Seventy Three Naira and Four Kobo (#2,
215,180,073.4) only as against
the Total DPV of One Billion, One Hundred and Four Million, Six Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand,
Three Hundred and Seventy Naira (#1,
104,647,370.00) in the Year 2020
representing over 100% increase.”
He explained that the operatives of the Command under his watch have recorded unprecedented seizures ranging from Heroine, Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), Rice, Expired Drugs, Used Shoes, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and others with Seven suspects arrested in connection with the seized hard drugs which were handed over to the NDLEA for possible prosecution.
“On Wednesday 8 December 2021 at
about 0500hrs; in our continuing
onslaught against smuggling on the
waterways, the Officers/Men of Coastal and
Harbour patrol (Bar-Beach) while on
credible intelligence intercepted large
quantity of PMS in Kegs at Ashipa
Beach along Seme Coastal Border area.
Unfortunately, no arrest was made as
the smugglers took to their heels upon
sighting the patrol team. The Kegs
were secured and evacuated to the base. Upon examination it was found to be Eight Hundred and Sixty
Five (865) Kegs of 25litres each of PMS
given a total of 21,625 litres. The
total value of the seizure is Three Million Six Hundred and Thirty Three
Thousand Naira (N3, 633,000.00),” Ochiba revealed.
While appreciating the efforts of other sister agencies and patriotic Nigerians for their
contributions in providing relevant information in their fight against smuggling, Ochiba sent a warning
signal to smugglers saying, “To those smugglers and would-be smugglers; we are
aware of your plans during
the yuletide season, I want you to know that our operatives are vigilant and on patrol duties to tame the scourge
of smuggling activities and other vices on the
South Western waterways and will
leave no stone unturned until you are
apprehended and prosecuted.”
He appealed to members of the public
to provide
the operatives of the Service with genuine information that would aid in the fight against smuggling in the
Country, adding that they are all aware
that the Federal Government
is paying huge amount of money in subsidizing the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the benefit of its
citizenry, but the smugglers are sabotaging the
efforts of the Federal Government
for their gain at the detriment of all Nigerians.
“ Let me on behalf of the
Officers/Men of Western Marine Command
appreciate the CGC and his
management team for their motivation and support
given to the Command in the
discharge of our statutory responsibilities. The
operatives will continue to
discharge the duty vested on them and will not rest on
their oars in the fight against
smuggling and drug trafficking.
“Gentlemen of the press, we
appreciate you for your determination in disseminating
the efforts of the Service in the anti-smuggling drive,” he stated.
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