Customs arrest trailer carrying adulterated diesel, Indian hemp, others

7 years ago

Customs arrest trailer carrying adulterated diesel, Indian hemp, others

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri, has said that the unit intercepted and arrested a trailer numbered GBB 85 XA suspected to be carrying adulterated diesel along Aba-Owerri expressway.

The intercession/arrest was said to have been carried out on December 4, 2016.

According to the Customs Area Comptroller in-charge of the unit, Mr. Mohammed Uba Garba, the exhibit was discovered to have been hidden in a specially constructed tank for illegal bunkering and also concealed with 256 sacks of expired animal feeds to evade arrest.

He said that the seized adulterated petroleum product caused blockages of heavy duty machines and generators, which he said, emit hazardous carbon monoxide detrimental to the health.

Mohammed, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen, said that a suspect, who gave his name as Chibuzor Njoku, was arrested in connection with the crime and would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps for prosecution.

Aside this, Mohammed also said that a 1 X 40” container with marks MRKU 254564 loaded with 1,017 sacks of 50kg cannabis (Indian hemp) estimated at over N111. 1m was intercepted on the Benin-Shagamu highway on December 7, 2016.

According to him, the only suspect, James Idoko, who claimed to be a student upon interrogation, attempted to deceive the Customs men by fraudulently presenting copies of suspected fake customs processed document on importation, which he said was contrary to what was contained in the container.

Mohammed said that the suspect offered a bribe of N350,000 in an attempt to avoid arrest, adding that he is currently in custody with the bribe money, which now serves as an exhibit along with the container load of cannabis.

He noted that the increasing tempo of criminality, violence and juvenile delinquency among the youths was traceable to the high rate of consumption of hard drugs such as marijuana, hence the clampdown on those involved in the illicit business.

“Consumption of cannabis also affects family relationship and we must fight it to the last so as to have a better society,” he stated.

The Customs boss, who handed over the seized items and the suspect to the Principal Staff Officer (Operation and Intelligence) of the NDLEA, Edo State Command, Mr. Timothy Adewole, for further investigation, assured that the NCS would continue to collaborate and work in synergy with sister organisations.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller has said that a MAN diesel truck with registration number KRV 238 XB carrying 725 different brands of 50kg foreign rice with Duty Paid Value of over N24.6 million suspected to have been smuggled into the country through the numerous creeks in Calabar/Cameroun border was intercepted by his men on December 7, 2016.

He said that a suspect, who gave his name as Mr. Fredrick Eze and claimed to be a representative of the owners of the exhibit was arrested.