Customs impound 1,071 cartons of poultry products worth of N5.7m

The Customs Headquarters Monitoring Team, Seme axis, has intercepted 1,071 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5.78 million.

The Acting Controller of the Customs Federal Operations Unit (F.O.U.) Zone `A’, Ikeja, Alhaji Usman Turaki, made the disclosure in a seizure report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Turaki said the team, which was led by an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr Abdullahi Kirawa, on Tuesday, at 08.30 hours, intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck with registration No AGB 217 ZD conveying the products on the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway.

The controller said 40 cartons of ceramic tiles and eight bath tubes were used in concealing the poultry products.

``It is instructive to note that the nefarious attitude and ingenuity of smugglers to device such means of concealment makes the seizure very symbolic,'' Turaki said.

He said the interception followed the renewed mandate from the Customs Headquarters on the need for more proactive steps toward suppressing smuggling and enhancing border security, particularly during this electioneering period.

Turaki said the truck was trailed from an unapproved route, having been placed on surveillance by the operatives of the Headquarters Monitoring Team.

According to him, the intercepted vehicle was brought down to the F.O.U., where a physical examination was conducted which revealed the seizures.

The controller commended the team for deploying effective intelligence in effecting the seizure and urged the team to remain focused and resilient in its anti-smuggling mandate.

Turaki spoke on the synergy between his unit and the Headquarters Monitoring Team, saying that customs’ operations was a compendium of teams that were interwoven and whose operations were targeted toward achieving a common goal.

He said that the unit and the teams were working harmoniously in ensuring that all flanks and suspected areas used by smugglers were completely blocked.

Turaki said that the unit would continue to play a leading role in anti-smuggling, in view of the need to continuously meet and surpass its operational benchmark.

He warned smugglers to either stay away from the zone or face the wrath of his operatives.