Customs seizes undeclared Chinese cigarettes
A substance concealed in a container allegedly belonging to Nigerite, recently intercepted at Tin Can Island Port, is 214,732 kilograms of cocaine worth N2 billion, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju, told TheNiche in a telephone interview that tests conducted confirmed the substance to be cocaine.
He said the agency is still carrying out investigation and will soon publisha detailed report.
But he declined comment on the number of suspects arrested.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) personnel uncovered the substance in a container said to contain raw materials belonging to the roofing sheet company.
Customs Tin Can Port Area Controller, Yusuf Bashar, said: “The container, with number CMAU045195/0 22G1, was a 20ft container which cargo clearance was handled on behalf of Nigerite by Elevations Transaction Limited.”
Nigerite is among companies that enjoy faster clearance in the port under a fast track scheme that excludes them from due examination to avoid production delays.
Seizure of cigarettes
Apapa Customs Command also confiscated four containers of 2×40ft and 2×20ft containing cigarettes called PANDA, imported from China without manufacturing or expiry dates.
The agent (name withheld) that attempted clearing the consignment claimed it was the first shipment of such product to Nigeria.
TheNichediscovered that neither the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) nor the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was aware of this import.
Customs ApapaArea Controller, Willy Egbudin, recounted that the manifest read millet but the declaration was cigarette, which led to suspicion and an alert.
He said the agent went to the shipping company, Comets Shipping, to doctor the document with new consignee, new product but with the same Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
The new manifest changed the consignee’s name from Oriental Int. Transport Ltd to Pullover Nigeria Limited, and the product from cigarette to millet.
Cigarette attracts 10 per cent duty; 60 per cent levy, and 5 per cent VAT. Millet attracts 5 per cent duty.
According to the Customs, apart from the danger the unregistered product could cause consumers; the government would have lost N196,030,800in revenue if the product had reached the market undetected.
Egbudin warned importers to desist from false declaration as the Customs will seizesuch goods and prosecute their owners as directed by Comptroller General, Hameed Ali.
Rice importation through land borders remains banned
The Customs denied media reports that it has lifted the ban on importation of rice through the land borders.
Customs spokesman, Wale Adeniyi, warned that smugglers caught violating the law will be arrested and prosecuted, but rice import through the seaports where duties and charges are paid will continue till the end of 2016.
Adeniyi attributed the wrong information to a cabal engaged in rice smuggling and recycling to confuse the public and set it against the government.
His words: “Our attention has been drawn to publications on various online platforms indicating that the Nigeria Customs Service has reversed the ban on rice importation through the land borders.
“These reports were attributed to a press interview purportedly granted by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adeniyi.
“It has become necessary to re-state the true position in view of the confusion which these online publications may create in the industry.
“It is even more expedient to provide this clarification given the fact that the Service has taken a firm position earlier through a joint press conference with stakeholders.
“First, we like to reiterate the position that importation of rice remains banned through our land borders, and we have the commitment of partner government agencies and stakeholders to enforce this restriction.
“While this restriction is in force, rice imports through the ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant charges.
“It is equally important to restate the confidence of the Nigeria Customs Service in the ability of Nigerian rice producers to fill the existing sufficiency gaps in the supply of the product.
“The Service has noted with satisfaction the ongoing rice revolution undertaken by many state governments, and strategic interventions by federal government agencies.
“The Service is convinced that the bumper harvests expected from these efforts will address the supply gap in 2017.
“It is our belief that continuous waste of scarce forex [foreign exchange] on a commodity that can be produced locally makes no economic sense, most especially at a period of recession.
“The Service will therefore advocate a total ban on rice importation into Nigeria with effect from 2017.
“It is worrisome that the publications that resurfaced … were being attributed to a press interview granted in October 2015.
“We strongly suspect that some powerful forces behind rice smuggling are at work, recycling an old report under a different circumstance to create confusion.
“We urge Nigerians to watch out for similar antics as the firm stand on rice smuggling will pitch their selfish interest against our national interest.”
Customs fires 17 officers over forgery, theft
As part of in-house cleaning, the NCS dismissed between January and September this year, 17 officers for offences ranging from drug addiction, certificate forgery, theft, to absence from duty.
Adeniyi explained that other officers will face similar penalties when investigation into their alleged offences are completed.
“These disciplinary measures were taken after a series of investigations and deliberations by the disciplinary committee and recommendations were made to the management.
“This process is a continuation of the reform agenda of … Ali promised upon his assumption of office which emphasised discipline, good conduct and transparency,” Adeniyi said.
