The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme/Krake Customs Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, has condemned the increase in smuggling of Ghanian cannabis sativa into the country.
This is even as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), other psychoactive drugs, rice, vehicles, wildlife and other commodities made the list of seizures from January to May 2024.
He stated that this increase in the illegal importation of cannabis from Ghana through various means deviced by criminals in their efforts to beat officers have been severally neutralized.
Addressing journalists at noon, yesterday, the CAC noted that a breakdown of the items seized in the period under review include; “2,448 Jerrycans of 30 liters each equivalent to eight (8) Tanker Loads; 6,467 Bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice equivalent to 10 trailer loads and 15 used vehicles amongst others with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N840, 003, 646.
“Wild animals were also part of the seizures. We had 20 Live Parrots; two Honey badgers; two Pelican Birds and 404 Live tortoises. General Merchandise: 3,023 items and 45 pieces of used tyers.”
He shared that although 18 suspects were initially arrested, 11 have been granted administrative bails, three were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action, one was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while four suspects were still in custody.
He added that through intelligence, the Command has arrested a notorious smuggler in the area and he is scheduled to face the full course of the law.
In a bid to protect women moving through the border corridor, Bomodi explained that the Command has set-up a complaint desk to address issues regarding molestation of females.
As part of the Command’s achievement for the period, the Comptroller stated that the Command made a 272 per cent increase in its revenue collection when compared to the same period under review last year with a total revenue of N2,634,190, 645 from January to May 2024 and 143,468 metric tonnes of export facilitated.
