Determined to Combat smuggling to a standstill, the Federal Operations Unit (F.O.U) Zone ‘C’ of THE Nigeria Customs Service has recorded an unprecedented 37 seizures in the month of July within the South East and South-South regions of the Federation with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of two hundred and fifty-two million, one hundred and twenty-six thousand, eight hundred naira (N252,126,800.00)
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Dimka Victor David, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Owerri. He informed them that that 36 out of the 37 seizures recorded are vehicles ranging from Toyota Highlander, Infinity SUV, Lexus SUV and cars, BMW, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota 4 Runner among others.
According to him, this is an indication of an increase in the number of vehicles being smuggled in the zone within the period under review.
Dimka recalled that there was a similar increase of smuggling in rice about five months ago but that was effectively tackled and the smuggling reduced to the barest minimum. Same applies to imported frozen poultry products which were brought in illegally in large numbers earlier in the year.
Additionally, Dimka said that the influx of imported furniture, second hand clothing, foreign detergents and foot wears have equally been frontally tackled and also the smuggling reduced to the barest minimum.
Dimka expressed immense gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, for his sustained support to the unit, stressing that this has continued to spur officers and men of the unit to greater height in the performance of their statutory duties of fighting smuggling.
He therefore passionately implored members of the public with useful information bordering on smuggling to volunteer such to the unit to enable it fish out smugglers from their various hideouts within the zone.
