The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos, says it has intercepted 607 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp.
It also seized a total of 7,059 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice.
The acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, made this known at a press conference in Lagos, on Wednesday.
He noted that the seized items, with duty paid value of N713, 663,355, were seized within three weeks, adding that 27 suspects were arrested in connection with the 1,800 seizures made.
Ejibunu said that the seizures were the result of unrelenting and uncompromising anti-smuggling activities by the unit aimed at enforcing government policies and protecting the nation’s economy.
“In just three weeks (from December 3), the unit made the following seizures: 7,059 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg each (about 14 trailers load); 607kg s of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).
“Others are 537 kegs of PMS (petrol) at 25 litres each; 86 bales of second-hand clothing; 570 pieces of used brassieres; 4,467 pairs of used shoes; 280 cartons of frozen poultry products.
“Also among the seizures are 186 pieces of used bags, three used vehicles; 43 used motorcycles; 70 cartons of tomato paste and 39 used fridges,” he said.
Ejibunu stated that Section 147 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, 2004 , as amended, gave the service authority to enter any premises on suspicion of harbouring prohibited items, without warrant.
He stressed that Section 158 gives Customs officials the authority to patrol freely while Section 46 confers authority to seize prohibited items.
Ejibunu added that Section 11 gives the power of prosecution of anyone obstructing customs officers from doing their duty.
He expressed the determination of the service to arrest anyone involved in murderous acts and announced the arrest of one of the prime suspects who killed an officer during active service on September 11.
He said that the unit, within the period under review, also seized 721.5kg of cannabis which was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, adding that a seizure of 607kg of the illicit drug was made along the Oshodi-Mushin Expressway, while 114.5kg was intercepted and seized along the Ijebu-Ode-Abeokuta Expressway with a suspect identified as Anthony Duru arrested.
He pointed out that the unit had recently handed over 14,728kg of cannabis sativa to the NDLEA.
(NAN).
