DANGEROUS NARCOTICS, FIBRE BOATS & FOREIGN PARBOILED RICE AMONGST N352 MILLION WORTH OF SEIZURES MADE BY WMC IN FEW WEEKS
The Western Marine Command (WMC) is celebrating one of its major operational activities which has resulted in striking seizures worth more than N352 million in just few weeks.
The helmsman of the command, Compt P.N Ntadi disclosed to newsmen today that the seizures ‘represent a significant blow to criminal networks involved in illicit trade and smuggling activities’
According to him, the feat also reaffirms the command’s commitment to protecting the nation’s borders and ensuring that lawful trade and commerce thrive within our economy.
Ntadi noted that over the past few weeks,the command’s disciplined and dedicated officers have conducted a series of targeted operations along its maritime routes.
The operations, he noted resulted in the interception of various shipments of illegal and smuggled goods, which threaten the economic stability and social well-being of our nation.
Seizures and Items Confiscated:
Rice: a staple food item, often smuggled to evade import duties and destabilize local markets – 2,017 Bags.
Cannabis: a dangerous narcotic substance with serious social and health implications – 481 loaves.
Textiles and clothing: imported illegally to bypass taxes and duties,
undermining legitimate local businesses – 72 bundles.
Sugar: an everyday necessity – 7 Bags
Total seizures include:
2,017 bags of rice
481 loaves of Cannabis Sativa
72 bundles of foreign textile
7 bags of Sugar.
4 locally constructed fibre boats
5 locally constructed wooden boats
These seizures represent a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N352,952,200 (Three hundred and Fifty two million, Nine hundred and fifty two thousand, two hundred Naira)
a. Two Thousand, seventeen (2,017) bags of Foreign Parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N212,995,200,00 (Two hundred and twelve Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, two Hundred Naira).
b. Seven (7) Sacks of 50kg Sugar with DPV of N672,000.00 (Six hundred and seventy two thousand Naira).
c. Seventy Two rolls of Foreign plain material with DPV of N71,280,000.00 (Seventy One Million, two hundred and eighty thousand
naira).
d. Four Hundred and Eight One loaves of Cannabis Sativa with DPV of
N50,505,000.00 (Fifty Million, Five hundred and five thousand Naira).
e. Nine Boats with DPV of N17,500,000 (Seventeen Million, Five Hundred
Thousand Naira)
He said that this represents a significant blow to criminal networks involved in illicit trade and smuggling activities. They also reaffirm their commitment to protecting their borders and ensuring that lawful trade and commerce thrive within our economy.
Operational Highlights:
According to him, their success is attributable to the motivation given to them from the Controller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, MFR psc+, enhanced intelligence gathering and improved collaboration with other security agencies like the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Marine Police and the Immigration Service.
They also owe their success to the deployment of more patrol vessels along the coastlines and inland waterways. We remain vigilant and proactive, continually updating their strategies to counter evolving smuggling tactics.
Call to Action:
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in our waterways. Their collective efforts are essential in safeguarding our country’s economic integrity and social order.
Gratitude:
He seized the opportunity to express his profound appreciation to the
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, MFR psc+ and his management team who has been instrumental in supporting this fight against smuggling operations by providing critical resources and equipment to the Western Marine Command.
This support has empowered the Command to achieve remarkable successes in ensuring that smugglers have no safe haven on our waterways, thereby creating a secure and thriving environment for legitimate trade.
They also extends gratitude to their sister agencies National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Marine Police, and especially The Nigerian Navy who in synergy’s with them in the cause of their activities towards making our operation a success has been laudable.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, he assures everyone that the Western Marine Command will not relent in its fight against smuggling and illegal activities. They are committed to upholding the laws of our land, protecting our citizens, and ensuring that justice is served.