The Onne Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted arms, ammunition, and drugs with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N13.9 billion.
Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi announced today in Onne, Rivers State, that customs officials, operating within their local structure, meticulously monitored the importer who attempted to bypass procedures through a private bonded terminal.
A thorough physical examination of the suspicious container revealed the concealment of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition, 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).
“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is N4.2 billion.
“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.
“Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law.
“In another development, our officers, through synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.
“The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.
“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: six containers laden with 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg) with duty paid value of N9.6 billion; and two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes duty paid value of N144 million.
“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is N13.9 billion,” Adeniyi said.
He stated that the items would be transferred to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which operates under the National Security Adviser, for investigation and prosecution.
“The suspects arrested will be handed over to the centre for further processing,” he added.
The customs chief also announced the suspension of the licenses and permits for the warehouses, bonded terminals, and customs agents involved in managing the seized containers.
“Customs officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious act would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Officers who kept faith with the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” he added.
(Ships & Ports)
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