ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has detained three suspects in connection with the seizure of 9 Containers worth Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00) at Port Harcourt Area 11 Command Onne.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, made the announcement during a press briefing at Onne River State on Monday July 1, 2024.
The Comptroller General explained that while acting on credible intelligence, one of the containers, a 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, was found to contain suspicious items.
“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal. Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination which revealed the concealment of Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles; One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition“.
“764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles; 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles; 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles; 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles.
“Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM)”.
The rifles and ammunition according to the CGC, were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags, likewise the duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).
“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law”, he said.
Similarly, the CGC revealed that Officers of the Command on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted another 8x40foot container transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.
The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928 respectively. Upon examination, they were found to contain the following:
Six containers laden with:
- 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml)3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg)
The Duty-paid value of the Six Containers is Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (₦9,600,000,000.00).
Other Two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes has a Duty-paid value of ₦144,000,000.00.
“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00),” the CGC noted.
Comptroller General Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, and his team for their professionalism. He also acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners as well as other government agencies.
“This seizure serves as a strong warning to others contemplating similar misadventures. We will run you out of business; the NCS continues to demonstrate its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the security of its citizens,” Adeniyi concluded.
