By Roland Ekama, Lagos
The Western Marine Command , Nigeria Customs Service on Friday destroyed 120 cartons of smuggled poultry products with a duty paid value of over N1.2million.
Controller of the Command,Comptroller B.N. Binga disclosed this at the command.
The Comptroller who was represented by Acting DC Enforcement of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC Samuel Ariyibi disclosed that the items were intercepted at Badagry and Yemeke axis during routine patrol by officers and men of the command.
He added that the value of the seized items is put at N900,000 .00, adding ” there is no small amount of seizure as such items are injurious to human health”.
According to him, the goods were intercepted on the 10th of September , at about 10:30am local time.
He further told newsmen at the destruction site, that with the commissioning of two gunboats by CGC Ali Hameed, the operatives of Western Marine Command will comb the sea to tackle smuggling to the barest minimum .
“This is the beginning of a new era because our gun boats were commissioned yesterday.
“This will give us the opportunity to go to the high sea to curb smuggling.
” There will be no hiding place for the smugglers.
“The primary assignment of the customs is not only to generate revenue but to suppress smuggling even into the barest minimum and today is another remarkable day.”
He further warned smugglers to desist from nefarious activities and allow sanity in the economic environment or be ready to face arrest and prosecution.
