The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at ₦3.24 billion and recovered ₦728.98 million in revenue from under-declarations, false declarations and other customs violations.
The seizures, according to the Service, were recorded through intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at disrupting smuggling activities, protecting local industries and preventing revenue losses to the Federal Government.
Among the items intercepted by the Unit were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to eight trailer loads, and 12 foreign-used vehicles.
The operation also led to the seizure of significant quantities of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products, including 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis, also known as Sativa, weighing 1,439.9 kilogrammes, and 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1 kilogrammes.
Other drug-related items recovered were one parcel of crystal methamphetamine, 13 parcels of granular cannabis, 240,000 tablets of Tramadol and 12,000 tablets of Hypnox.
Customs officers also intercepted 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84 kilogrammes, in what the Service said reflected its efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trafficking and contribute to the protection of endangered species.
The list of seized goods further included 964 jerrycans containing 24,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 used tyres.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, described the ₦728.98 million revenue recovery as encouraging, saying the Unit would intensify its efforts to detect and recover revenue lost through customs fraud.
Aliyu urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to ensure that their declarations are accurate and comply with existing customs laws and regulations.
He said the interception of foreign rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods would help protect domestic industries from unfair competition, support national food security and preserve government revenue.
The comptroller also drew attention to the public health implications of the drug seizures, saying the interception of illicit drugs and unregulated pharmaceutical products would help prevent harmful substances from reaching communities, particularly young Nigerians.
According to him, the recovery of the elephant tusks further demonstrated the Service’s commitment to combating illegal wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.
Aliyu attributed the enforcement successes recorded by the Unit to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, collaboration with other government agencies and support from stakeholders and members of the public.
He said the Unit’s enforcement strategy was designed to maintain strict control over the movement of prohibited goods while ensuring that legitimate trade continues to receive the necessary facilitation.
The comptroller assured compliant traders that the Customs Service remained committed to providing a transparent and predictable trading environment. He, however, warned that FOU Zone A would sustain its zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, revenue fraud and other activities considered economic sabotage.
The latest seizures come as the Customs Service continues to strengthen its enforcement operations against prohibited imports, fraudulent customs declarations and other forms of illicit trade.
The NCS said FOU Zone A would continue to support the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting local production, promoting compliance with customs regulations, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing prohibited and harmful goods from entering the country.
The operation underscores the broad scope of Customs enforcement, with the latest seizures cutting across revenue protection, food security, public health, local industry protection and wildlife conservation.
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