Between July and September, the Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit in Zone C seized illicit items worth N1.6 billion that included cannabis sativa, raw materials for the manufacture of explosive devices, and other illegal substances.
In an interview with reporters at the government warehouse in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, acting Customs Area Controller Kayode Kolade for the zone claimed this.
The acting area controller reportedly stated that nine suspects were detained in connection with the seizures during the review period, according to a statement made on Monday by the zone’s public relations officer, Jerry Attah.
Kolade, who was unhappy with the recent smuggling in the zone, claimed that the zone had also recovered N54.2 million via demand letters, bringing the total amount recovered by the zone to N1.6 billion.
“Other contrabands seized included 417 sacks of cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp, weighing 9,194kg and 627 compressed parcels of the same Indian hemp, 1kg each, totaling 627kg, nine sacks of explosives’ raw materials (fertilizer, device cables, and Superpower 90 chemicals) 50kg each, 1,329 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice 50kg each, five cartons of DSP cough syrup with codeine 100mg in 1,000 bottles.
“The armoured bullion van without Customs paperwork and end users certificate was intercepted along Okada/Benin Expressway, while the five cartons of DSP cough syrup with codeine and the 883 boxes of unregistered medications were found on the Benin/Asaba/Onitsha Expressway.
“One hundred cartons of wine and 335 cans of tomato paste were intercepted along the Ewu/Ibilo axis, and 5,737 pieces of used pneumatic tires were also intercepted along the waterside of the Cross River and the Okada-Benin Expressway,” he added.
He voiced concern over the smuggling of explosives and added that the nation had been dealing with the difficulties brought on by instability.
Kolade issued a dire warning to human traffickers, advising them to stop immediately or face the consequences from the law.