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Western Marine Gets 4 Additional Boats To combat Smuggling On The Waterways, Arrests 5 Suspects

Byadmin

Apr 5, 2023

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) Western Marine Command has been equipped with additional four patrol boats to further combat smuggling on the waterways.

The command has recorded 15 incidents of seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N110.2 million, in the first quarter of 2023.

The Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Comptroller Oduadu Salefu, who disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday said two of them are gunboats.

“In line with the responsibilities conferred on the Nigeria Customs Service by the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria LFN 2004 as amended, the Western Marine Command (WMC) continues to suppress smuggling along the South-Western waterways and Creeks.

All actions of our operatives is in line with the provisions of Sections 149 (Power to search vehicles/ship) and 158 (Power to patrol freely) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Importation of foreign parboiled rice HS Code 1006.30.1000 is restricted in Nigeria by the Federal government since March 2016 and any improper importation of foreign rice contrary to allowed trade route restriction is liable to forfeiture further to section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.

Any improper importation or exportation of PMS HS Code 2710.12.4000 and 2710.12.5000 across land borders and waterways in Nigeria contrary to allowed trade route restriction is liable to forfeiture further to section 46 (forfeiture of good improperly imported) and section 63 (forfeiture of good improperly exported) of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.

Western Marine Command in the period under review (January to March, 2023) recorded 15 incidences of seizures that had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of One Hundred and Ten Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Four Naira, Fifty Kobo (#110,195,934.50) only.

According to him: “A cumulative analysis of seizures shows that: One Thousand Five Hundred and Nineteen (1,519) bags of 50kg size Foreign Parboiled Rice. Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five (8,825) liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight (468) kegs of 25liters each.

Others are: Seven Hundred (700) pairs of foreign used shoes. Twenty (20) used foreign ladies bags. Eighty Eight (88) cartons of Caro White Cream (bleaching cream), Fifty (50) pairs of expired Tyres. Three (3) Outboard Boat Engines and One (1) Water Pumping Machines.

“All items were seized at various intervals within the period under review”

He continues: “5 suspects have been arrested and have been granted administrative bail pending when charges will be proffered against them in Court.

“Our Command has always enjoyed cordial relations and cooperation from members of our host communities who together with their leadership remain a major source of intelligence gathering.

“The Nigeria Navy especially the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft are singled out for special appreciation by the Command for several operational assistance within the period under review.

“I must salute the bravery of our Officers and Men operating in the creeks and waterways amiss very risky and difficult challenges” he said.

“We must mention the unflinching support and motivation of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) who has continued to provide all necessary support and logistics for our operations, for this we are grateful and assure CGC of our unrelenting fight against these economic saboteurs”

The Western Marine Command on the 28th of March 2023 and the 3rd of April received in addition to its fleet of boats four additional operational boats consisting of two gun boats and two logistics boats from NCS headquarters.

“To smugglers, I appeal to you to abandon economic sabotage and unlawful trade to embrace legitimate trade as WMC will not rest on its oars to rid our Creeks/Waterways of illegal trade practices and will continue to enforce Federal laws and policy restrictions” he warned.

By admin

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