From: GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, OWERRI
In its sustained effort to thwart the activities of smugglers in its area of operation, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo State, says it has impounded contraband twenty items with a duty paid value of over N170 million with Underpayments Recovered standing at N58 million, with 18 suspects arrested and 25 cases pending in court.
The Area Comptroller, Mohammed Uba Garuba, who disclosed this, on Wednesday, while briefing newsmen said that the DPV of the seizure contraband items outstrips that of January which he said was about N122 million.
Giving a detailed insight of the seizures made, Garuba stated that his unit impounded: nine thousand, seven hundred and five(9,705) pieces of footwear worth N18 million 10 vehicles worth N46 million and 1,205 bags of 50kg bags of imported rice worth N40 million.
Garuba, however, regretted that despite government stringent measures to curb smuggling, those still engrossed in the nefarious business have criminally refused to purge themselves of the act, but have rather continued to contrive ways and means so as to remain afloat in their illicit business.
He applauded the continued co-operation and supports of some members of the public and other sister agencies that have patriotically assisted the NCS with information bordering on smuggling and enjoined them to sustain the spirit in the interest of nation and her economy.
The Area Comptroller stated that the NCS would continue to apply all necessary measures to neutralize the antics of smugglers in line with policies and visions of the Comptroller-general of Customs, Col. Ibrahim Hameed Ali (rtd.) and his management team.
No comments:
Post a Comment