The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command has intercepted 177 Sacks and 61 Kegs of 25 Litres containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway en route Benin Republic.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye said the seizure was made possible by a joint patrol team on credible intelligence.
Bamisaiye, while addressing newsmen at the command headquarters on Friday said the action of the smugglers contravened Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He warned smugglers to desist from their wicked acts or risk arrest, as the command has zero tolerance for smuggling.
Bamisaiye said: “At about 2330hrs on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, while on joint patrol based on credible intelligence, we received the movement of 2 Boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks. Upon receipt of the information, the team moved into Isalu Creeks Badagry Waterway.
“Careful examination of the seizure at the Command Headquarters revealed “177 Sacks and 61 Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing 12,500 Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at N8,750,000.”
“There’s a strong warning to the economic importance of this kind of seizure at a time of fuel scarcity can not be over-emphasised. People are suffering due to artificial scarcity, but they are busy smuggling these products outside the country to make money. It’s either they stop this act, or we continue to arrest them. We have zero tolerance for this act.”
