Customs seizes N172m smuggled goods

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦172 million within the last quarter.

Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Comptroller Anderson Jaja, disclosed this yesterday, at the Customs House in Calabar while presenting the Command’s anti-smuggling achievements.

According to him, “The Eastern Marine Command has implemented proactive strategies that have successfully suppressed smuggling within the axis.

“The effectiveness of these measures is reflected in the seizures displayed here today, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦172,497,203 (One Hundred and Seventy-Two Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Three Naira only).

“These include 62 bales of second-hand clothing with a DPV of ₦16,782,470 and 190 pieces of used tyres with a DPV of ₦15,429,045.

“Others are soaps, detergents, creams, wines, juices, beverages and bicycles with a DPV of ₦68,977,618; bags of used shoes, scrap metals, wire mesh, chemicals and others with a DPV of ₦14,016,717.

“Also seized were batteries, drums, water tanks, chemicals and scrap metals with a DPV of ₦45,893,390; 14 sacks of used shoes with a DPV of ₦132,636; two flying boats with a DPV of ₦8,502,390; 21 AK-47 magazines, two pistol magazines and 49 arms accessories with a DPV of ₦868,244, as well as one 20-foot container with a DPV of ₦1,894,693,” he said.

Comptroller Jaja emphasised that the seizures sent a clear message that smuggling would not be tolerated, nothing that the Command remained focused on streamlining legitimate trade and strengthening community partnerships.

He also urged stakeholders within the Command’s area of responsibility to leverage the Comptroller-General’s trade facilitation initiatives by committing to legitimate trade routes and regulatory compliance.

Jaja commended the  leadership and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, noting that the recent acquisition of patrol boats was a strategic milestone that would   boost the Command’s capacity to secure Nigeria’s waterways.