Western Marine Customs Intercepts Contraband Worth Over 900m In Ten Months

 

By Chinonye Anyatonwu 

The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Services(NCS), has successfully thwarted smuggling activities, intercepting contraband valued at over 900 million naira in ten months.

In accordance with its primary mandate outlined in Section 4 of the NCS Act 2023, the WMC executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities, resulting in the arrest and seizure of significant illegal goods.

According to a statement made available by the image maker of the command, SC Mailafiya Magaji stated that during   the operations, officers and men of the command confiscated 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), totaling 663.5kg in September and October 2023. These arrests were conducted along the Moba waterways and Sanki Beach Axis on the 31st of August 2023 and 4th of October 2023, respectively.

Under the leadership of Comptroller Odaudu Adah  Salefu, the command  also apprehended 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, collectively exceeding a duty paid value of 50 million Naira.

In a related incident, the Command seized 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during two separate arrests on the 27th of October 2023.

It is worthy to note that in August 2023, the command  seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), which has been  handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.

The cumulative value of the ten seizures conducted by the command  from August to October 2023 amounts to N923,794,000 Naira only.

Comptroller Salefu emphasizes once again the imperative for the general public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions. These measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria.