Custom intercepts N23.07m worth of smuggled frozen foods and bags

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja, on Saturday said it had intercepted smuggled goods valued N23.07 million.

A statement signed in Lagos by the unit Public Relations Officer, Mr Uche Ejesieme, said that Comptroller Sani Madugu, head of the unit, made the disclosure while inspecting the seized goods.

``The anti-smuggling drive of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, received a major boost following the seizure of smuggled frozen poultry products concealed in a specially-built compartment of a truck.

``The unit also seized 82 bales of used and new ladies’ bags and school bags,’’ the statement quoted Madugu as saying.

It said that the Lagos Roving Patrol Team of the unit, headed by an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr Adamu Abubakar, intercepted a white Mercedes Benz truck along Ajao Estate-Oshodi Expressway, suspected to be laden with the smuggled goods.

The statement said that the truck, with the suspects, was brought to the unit for further investigation.

``Physical examination revealed that the truck had 555 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products.

``The controller further confirmed that another surveillance team, Seme axis, on Dec. 17, 2015, traced a large consignment of contraband goods from Abule Osun waterside to a nearby warehouse.

``Eighty-two bales of used and new ladies’ bags/school bags in five trucks were driven to the government warehouse, Ikeja,’’ the statement said.

It said that the two suspects would help in further investigation to apprehend the kingpins for prosecution.

The statement said that Madugu commended the resilience of the teams, describing the detection of the concealments in a false compartment of the truck as ``quite symbolic’’.