Customs Foils Timber Smuggling Attempt, Intercepts 11 Containers Worth $295,944.

Customs Foils Timber Smuggling Attempt, Intercepts 11 Containers Worth $295,944.

By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Lilypond Export Command has made a significant seizure, intercepting 11 containers laden with raw and sawn timber worth $295,944. Speaking to newsmen at APMoller on Wednesday, November 2024 Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya said, the seizure is a testament to the command’s commitment to curbing smuggling and protecting the nation’s economy.

According to Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, it is in light of this that the command has resolved not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation and always prevent the export of any consignment that runs in conflict with the laws of the country and that the command has notified the general public of its latest fight against smuggling and defiance of existing customs laws and regulations.

Comptroller Ajibola disclosed that this consignment was intercepted through credible intelligence. A combined team of Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export-bound containers at the barge area of Apapa port on 11 October 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to be used for smuggling.

He said when the Lilypond Export Command on 1 November 2024 scheduled the suspected containers for a 100 per cent physical examination, they were found to contain raw and unprocessed timber, which contravenes Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET).

The breakdown of the particulars of these Eleven containers included TRLU9354677, MRKU9991028, TCLU2179830, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, TCLU2179830, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, TCLU2543324, MSKU3929849, MSKU7323470, MSKU5953248, and GAOU2550990.

He said, in line with the provisions of sections 148, 149, and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the detained containers are hereby being converted to seizures. While the command is yet to apprehend the culprits behind this criminal act, the command expects these seizures to serve as a deterrent to any person or export trader planning to perpetuate a similar offence.

The CAC assured that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone who dares their resolve. According to him, this further underscores the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export. He announced that it goes further to confirm the alertness with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export.

Comptroller Ajibola used the opportunity to once again urge the small, medium, and large-scale exporters to take advantage of the easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the federal government to encourage export trade.

He concluded by saying that the command shall continue to engage their partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC, following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024 and that of the recently held 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Conference.