Customs seizes 71 cartons of expired food seasonings

Authority in charge of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday said it has seized 71 cartons of expired food seasonings worth N458 million. It also disclosed that it intercepted 179 pieces of textiles materials worth N2.2 million, allegedly being smuggled into the country from Benin Republic. Speaking yesterday, the Customs Area […]

Authority in charge of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday said it has seized 71 cartons of expired food seasonings worth N458 million.

It also disclosed that it intercepted 179 pieces of textiles materials worth N2.2 million, allegedly being smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.

Speaking yesterday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Compt. Uba Mohammed, said 71 cartons of expired food seasonings would have been circulated if not the quick intervention of the customs officials.

Mohammed said that aside the 71 cartons of expired seasonings, operatives of the command also seized 336 cartons of alcoholic drinks worth N5 million.

Conducting newsmen round the seizures, Mohammed said the command confiscated 8,304 bags of 50kg foreign rice, equivalent to over 14 trucks worth N89 million.

He said the command generated N2.62 billion from for March till date adding that it has drastically reduced smuggling activities to the barest minimum in the area

“The command also seized 175 pieces of six yards of textiles worth N2.24million, 15 sacks of used clothes valued at N677, 486, 28 cartons of medicament worth N1,083,978 and 410 sacks of School bags valued at N13.2million. Also 2,000 cartons of expired biscuits valued at, N7,742,700 and another truck loaded with 493 packs of baby diapers worth N4.1million,” he said.

Mohammed also disclosed that 336 cartons of alcoholic drinks worth N4.8million and 1,582 parcels of Cannabis Sativa concealed in an Indomie truck; and 55 parcels of same Cannabis Sativa concealed in a Sienna bus.

“As part of our community service, the Customs Comptroller General, directed that a total of 25,000 bags of foreign parboiled Rice (equivalent of 42 trailer trucks), 650 bags of sugar, 150 cartons of Tin tomato, 150 bags of flour and 250 kegs of vegetable oil were transferred to the Nigeria Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NACST) between April and May, for onward delivery to Yobe State Government, Damaturu for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)s in the state. A total of 11 vehicles have also been seized notable among them are Toyota Highlander (2005), Range Rover (2007), Toyota Rav 4 (2006), Toyota Venza (2010) and others with combined duty paid value of N46.1million”, he stated