The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized various contraband items at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command exceeding ₦3.3 billion between July and October 2024.
These included 175 military helmets, 50 drones, and 250 live turtles, with a Duty-Paid Value (DPV).
Other intercepted items at Lagos airport were 10 packs of Canadian Cannabis sativa, 23 walkie-talkies, seven packages of Tramadol Hydrochloride (200mg and 225mg), 1.5 kilograms of pangolin scales, and 0.2 kilograms of porcupine pins.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Michael Awe, showcased these items to journalists, noting that the seizures violated the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He said the command during this period has generated ₦144.2 billion in revenue, a 94% increase from the ₦74.3 billion collected in 2023.
Controller Awe credited this success to enhanced trade facilitation, improved stakeholder compliance, strategic resource deployment, interagency collaboration, effective law enforcement, and intelligent risk management.
He also highlighted measures to boost revenue and curb smuggling, such as streamlined clearance procedures, enhanced cargo inspection, improved intelligence gathering, collaboration with other security agencies, and regular stakeholder engagements.
Awe assured that the command would continue to facilitate legitimate trade, enhance anti-smuggling operations, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and leverage technology to optimize operations.
Comments