The anti-smuggling drive of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja received a major boost recently following the seizure of smuggled frozen poultry products, neatly concealed in a specially built compartment of an iron body ten tyres truck.
The Unit also seized eighty-two (82) jumbo bales of used and new bags.
This disclosure was made by the Controller, FOU ‘A’ Ikeja, Comptroller Sani Madugu while conducting the media round the seized items at the workshop and Government warehouse area of the Unit recently.
Giving the analysis, the Controller stated that the Lagos Roving Patrol team of the Unit, headed by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Adamu Mohammed Abubakar while on information patrol, intercepted a white Mercedes Benz truck with registration number APP654 XQ, along Ajao Estate-Oshodi Expressway suspected to be laden with smuggled goods.
He stated that the truck alongside the defendants was brought down to the Headquarters of the Unit, for further investigation.
He confirmed that physical examination revealed that the truck had five hundred and fifty-five (555) cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products.
In another development, the Controller further confirmed that another squad, Surveillance Team Seme axis, on 17th day of December, 2015, traced a large consignment of contraband goods from Abule-Osun waterside to a nearby warehouse where the exhibit was dropped and evacuated eighty-two (82) jumbo bales of used and new ladies bags/school bags in five (5) hired trucks to the Government Warehouse Ikeja.
The two defendants will help in further investigation as the Service is determined to apprehend the kingpins for prosecutions.
The Controller disclosed that the value of the two seizures stood at twenty three million and thirty seven thousand Naira (N23, 037,000.00) only.
He affirmed that the two seizures were effected on the 17th day of December, 2015 while stating that the Unit would continue to degrade and decimate the nefarious activities of smugglers.
He commended the resilience and dexterity of the teams and stated categorically that the detection of the hi-tech concealment using a false compartment of the truck was quite symbolic as it showed the desperation of the smugglers.
The controller hinted that the Unit would always remain steps ahead of the antics of smugglers and promised to rattle economic saboteurs in the area of his coverage.
He however assured legitimate business men and women of the support of the Unit in terms of trade facilitation warning smugglers to stay out of the zone or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
Photo Caption
Pix 1: Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Sani Madugu showing the large quantity of neatly concealed smuggled frozen poultry products in a false compartment.
Pix 2: Part of the eighty-two (82) bales of extra jumbo bales of new and used ladies school bags seized by the Surveillance Team Seme axis.
Send your news, press releases/articles to info@primetimereporters.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @reportersinfo and on Facebook at facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
