Customs seizes 275 bags of rice, tramadol, others worth N24.1m at Seme border
By Samson Echenim
The Seme Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, says it intercepted 782 packets and 630 cards of tramadol all of 50grms, equivalent to 409,000grms and 9,400ml of Amphytamine syrup with duty paid value (DPV) of N 4.74 million.
The command in a statement on Monday also said it seized 275 50kg bags of rice, 9,225 litres of fuel, 11 jerry cans of vegetable oil (25 litres each), 132 Cartons of frozen poultry products, textile materials and other prohibited items with DPV of N19.4 million.
According to Hussaini Abdullahi, spokesman of the command, the seizures were done within the last three weeks as the new year began.
Abdullahi in the statement said, the seizures were as a result of strategic efforts “to suppress the activities of daredevil smugglers to the barest minimum,” noting that the command had intensified its anti-smuggling activities.
He said, “The anti-smuggling unit of Seme Area Command under the leadership of Chedi Dalha Wada, acting Customs area controller, has in the last three weeks recorded tremendous achievements. This is coming at the heels of the arrest of 782 packets and 630 cards of tramadol all of 50grms, equivalent to 409, 000grms of tramadol, and also 9, 400ml of Amphytamine syrup with DPV of N 4,740, 132.00 intercepted along elejah – mowo axis of the Command.
“In the same vein, a total DPV of N19,418, 806 was realised during the period under review from the following seizures: 275 bags of rice (50Kg each); 9, 225 litres of Premuim Motor Spirit (PMS); 11 Jerry cans of Vegetable Oil (25 litres each); 132 Cartons of frozen poultry products; 105 Textile materials (six yards each); 12 Sacks of used Clothings; and one sack of used shoes. Others items are three sacks of used ladies hand bags; 326pcs of cream; 10 sacks of Egusi; one sack of stock fish and 30 cartons of choko drink
“To this end, The acting Customs area controller, reiterated that the aforementioned seizures is a strong message to smugglers and their accomplices. He further promised to sustain the current tempo of suppression of smuggling for social and economic well been of Nigeria.”