The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ (FOUC), has intercepted eight exotic vehicles, unregistered pharmaceutical products as well as other contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value of N529 million between January 1 and February 28, 2022.
The exotic vehicles, which were said to lack relevant documents, include three Toyota Hilux of 2017, 2020 and 2021 models; one Land Cruiser Prado 2016 model; one Toyota Highlander 2014 and one Toyota Venza 2016 model, among others.
The Comptroller, FOUC of Customs, Ali Ibrahim, while showcasing the seized items in Owerri said that six suspects were arrested during the period under review, adding that they had been granted administrative bail.
He also said that 640 cartons of unregistered pharmaceuticals including tramadol worth N192 million, conveyed in a DAF heavy duty truck and one J5 transit bus were intercepted along the Okada/Benin axis.
He added that 1,650 bales of used clothing valued at N165 million were intercepted along the Umuikaa/Aba road while 181 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice worth over N7.2 million were intercepted along the Akwa-Ibom/Calabar axis.
Also intercepted were 2,239 pieces of used pneumatic tyres valued at N4.5 million and 36,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products concealed in polyethylene bags, worth N3.6 million.
Ibrahim thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and his management team for their unwavering support and motivation while commiserating with families and loved ones of four officers who died while on duty.
According to him, the Service is synergising with other security agencies to ensure continued safety of its officers and men.