CUSTOMS: FOU ZONE 'B' INTERCEPTED MARIJUANA CONCEALED IN 72 SACKS OF GARRI FLAKES

CUSTOMS: FOU ZONE 'B' INTERCEPTED MARIJUANA CONCEALED IN 72 SACKS OF GARRI FLAKES

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘B’ Kaduna has impounded a total of 72 sacks of cassava flakes also known as garri laden with cannabis in Zamfara State.

Customs Area Controller,  FOU Zone 'B' Comptroller Albashir Hamisu  described the seizure as a  spectacular seizure containing 72 sacks of illicit drug (Marijuana) exposing another tricks by which smugglers concealed smuggled goods.

He said In the case of this seizures, the smuggler concealed the Marijuana inside sacks of cassava flour,  adding that the Operatives of the Unit with the aid of informant intercepted the marijuana along Sokoto-Zamfara axis and brought it to the office.

He stated that  FOU operations are in line with sections 139 (provisions as to detention, seizure and condemnation of goods) and Section 158 (empowers officers to patrol freely) as enshrine in Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA, Cap C45 LFN 2004, as amended.

He said the FOU Zone B, has a mandate of suppressing smuggling activities in the Zone which comprises the entire North West including Niger, Kogi, Kwara and FCT in the North Central, pointing out that other function of the Unit includes translation of Federal Government Fiscal Policies into reality with a view to make the economy remain attractive and healthy.

His words, "72 sacks of cannabis sativa (Marijuana) with a  total  #2,617,920.00 pointing out that the Marijuana would be handed over to the Commandant National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,  NDLEA, Kaduna State Command today on the spirit of Inter-agency collaboration.

He disclosed the Zone intercepted a total of 161 seizures of various contraband goods within the period under review with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of #351,508,658.56  between November and 20 December 2022, 

 Area Controller said three suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures and later released on administrative bail. noting that the Command under his watch shall continue to arrest anyone indulging in smuggling activities within the Zone.

He said it is on record that the Unit made a total 949  interceptions at different locations in the Zone from 1 January to 20 December 2022 with combined DPV of #2, 345,155,577.38) only  in contrast to the seizures made in the Year 2021 with DPV of #1, 319,332,763.00 only.

"As the Comptroller of the Unit, I would continue to operate an open door policy, give a sense of belonging to all Officers/Men and other critical stakeholders as well as instill discipline, for us to better fulfill the Unit's mandate.

"Let me warned the smugglers that want to take advantage of the Yuletide season to stay clear of the Zone, I want them to know that our operatives are on red alert and vigilant to tame smuggling activities during the festive period with a view of arresting and prosecuting them.

"It is my humble advice to smugglers to turn a new leaf and embrace the Federal Government agricultural policy and massive investment in Local rice production, so that they can create employment and boost the food security in the Country,"he stated.

The Items intercepted by officers and men of units within the period under review include:

 2114x50Kg Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice - N104,597,231.90

, 126 Bales & Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Clothing -N18,820,777.50, 

65 x 25Kg Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice- N1,608,046.38,

818 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous- N5,943,964.28,

 8 Units of Means of Conveyance (Vehicles), N59,162,337.00

, 102 Cartons of Foreign Carotone Body Cream - N15,235,867.50, 

102 Cartons of Foreign Eva Soap- N6,279,732.00.

While other items includes : 69 x 5Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil - 848,010.00, 

30 x 25 Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil - 843,500.00,

Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Shoes - 597,485.00,

Sacks of Foreign Tomato Paste - N134,944.20, 

 13 Sacks of Foreign Hides and Skin (Ponmo) - N584,758.20

113 Bundles of Foreign Textiles -  N9,165,882.00,

10 Cartons of Foreign Flavoured Chewing Gum -  N1,924,614.00, 

7 x 25Kg Bags of Foreign Flour -  N314,869.80,

, 55 Pieces of Foreign Used Tyres  -  N479,586.80, 

438 x 25litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) - N 827,754.30, 

87 x 50Kg Bags of Foreign 

 (N.P.K 15-15-15) - N4,304,616.45