LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intercepted raw materials for the production of explosive devices, cannabis sativa, and other contrabands with a duty-paid value of N1.6bn.
Acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the zone, Kayode Kolade, made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the Government warehouse, in Benin City, Edo State capital.
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According to a Statement on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the zone, Jerry Attah, the acting Area Controller, also stated that within the period of July and September, nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Kolade, who frowned on the issue of smuggling in the zone, said that the sum of N54.2m was also recovered by the zone from demand notices, making a cumulative sum of N1.6bn.
“Other contrabands seized included, 417 sacks of cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp weighing 9,194kg and 627 compressed parcels of the same Indian hemp 1kg each totalling 627kg, nine sacks of explosives’ raw materials (fertilizer, device cables, and Superpower90 chemicals) 50kg each, 1,329 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice 50kg each, five cartons of DSP cough syrup with codeine 100mg in 1,000 bottles.
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“Others are one of armoured bullion van, 761 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing, 883 cartons of various unregistered/expired medicaments including tramadol, 100 cartons of various wines, 5,737 pieces of used pneumatic tires, 335 cartons of smuggled foreign tomato paste, 300 cartons of foreign spaghetti, among others.”
The area controller said that the contrabands were intercepted at different locations under the jurisdiction of the zone.
He further warned smugglers to desist forthwith in the interest of humanity or have the law to contend with.