Customs intercepts 550 cartridges, prohibited goods

The Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 3 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Kwara state says it has seized 550 cartridges of ammunition contained in 22 packs of 25 pieces each.

The Coordinator of the Team Sector 3, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, stated this while speaking with Journalists in Ilorin.

He said the seizure was made around Benue axis of the sector, following surveillance and determination of the operatives.

According to him, based on intelligence report, the sector intercepted a commercial bus around Y Junction, Adikpo in Benue state heading to Taraba state from Onitsha in Anambra state.

Comptroller Peters explained that on searching the vehicle, two black Bagco sacks were found containing pump action cartridges suspected to have been smuggled into the country.

The Coordinator noted that after preliminary investigation, as the law of jurisdiction demands, the suspects were all handed over to Nigeria Police Force, Benue state for further investigation.

Comptroller Peters maintained that within the period under review, which is between August and December, the Sector also recorded 49 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N29, 273,300.

He warned those who want to use the yuletide period to smuggle items to make money to desist from the act, adding that anyone caught will be punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Items recovered include ,1,251 Jeri cans of 25 liters each of PMS (31,273liters), 751 Bags of foreign par boiled Rice, 9 Used Vehicles, and 550 live cartridges, 7 Bales of second clothing, as well a 1 Motorcycles used as a means of conveyance of PMS and smuggling surveillance.