Customs seizes 506 bags of imported rice

Customs intercepts 506 bags of smuggled rice.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said on Wednesday in Sokoto that it’s command in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara intercepted 506 bags of smuggled foreign rice hid in bags of beans

The Controller of the command, Nasir Ahmad, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the goods were intercepted on Friday along Sokoto-Illela road, adding that the seized goods had payable duty of N12.5 million value.

Ahmad said that smugglers deployed different tactics in carrying out their illegal activities, explaining that they use various structures, including residential houses, to store smuggled items before uploading to a truck.

“The present case is different as smugglers packaged two bags of rice in bigger beans bag disguising that they were conveying beans in the truck,” he said.

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He urged residents of the border communities to give useful information to customs authorities in order to rid smuggling of goods into the country.

The controller said smuggling has an adverse effect on the nation’s economy and development as it deprives it of revenue.

He therefore, commended Comptroller-General and other officers for ensuring that smuggling is put to an end.