The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted seven containers of contraband items worth N292.2 million.
The seized items include cutlasses, expired drugs, frozen chicken and used clothing.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this while displaying the intercepted containers to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violates section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
“On Thursday, 18 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying 4,129 packages of frozen chicken.
“Another one of 40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical.
“The cutlass and matches are imported from China, the expired drugs from India and the frozen chicken were from Turkiye,” Olomu said.
The area controller said the seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement.
This, he added, was to ensure that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.
He reiterated that the Apapa command would continue improving on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection.
Olou noted that this was without compromising the enforcement of the extant laws as they pertain to the false declaration, concealment, under declaration and valuation.
“We are also enforcing the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the case of food and drugs.
“Our command will also be strict on the implementation of the end-user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” he said.
He warned against smuggling of prohibited items, adding that the command would keep ensuring that only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance would be allowed to go through Apapa port either as import or export cargoes.
He also said the seizures would be handed over to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.
Olomu, however, urged clearing agents to engage in an honest declaration to reduce the time of clearing cargoes at the ports. (NAN).
