Custom Seizes 34 Containers Of Rice At Seaport

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 34 containers of rice smuggled through the Tin Can Island Port.

The Comptroller General of Customs Hameed Ali said this on Tuesday in Lagos that the 34 containers of rice were seized along with 11 containers unregistered pharmaceutical products, 2 containers of used tyres one container of used clothing and four containers of refined vegetable oil in retail packs, bringing the total to 52 containers.

He said that the duty paid value of the seized goods were worth N2.7bn. He added that the seizure was due to the land border closure which resulted in taking another route that is the seaport.

He then advised other seaports and airports to beef up surveillance and seize any illicit and prohibited consignment for which attempt for their smuggling may be made through these entry points.

It was gathered that the rice smuggled were originated from Thailand. He also said some of the seized goods have expired while others were about to expire.

He said further that the Central Bank of Nigeria has not issued any form M since 2015 for the importation of rice through the seaport and that the importation of rice through both the sea and land is prohibited and that any foreign rice seen in the market is smuggled.

He then commended the Tin Can Island Command of the Customs that the command had generated N286.7bn revenue from January till date

He concluded that full investigation is ongoing to bring those involved in the importation to court.