BY: Manoah Kikekon
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| Fake $60 million dollars seized by custom at Seme border |
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, announced the seizure of counterfeit US dollars worth $6 million, among other prohibited items, and the arrest of four members of a cross-border criminal syndicate on Thursday.
During a press conference at his command in Seme, Lagos, Area Controller Comptroller Dera Nandi informed journalists of this.
Nnadi stated that the command had reached milestones in its anti-smuggling operations over the last 13 days.
"Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks by the command include the seizure of fake $6m USD equivalent of N2.763 Billion and the arrest of two suspects conveying the fake currency from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
"Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and are currently being held in our custody pending prosecution," the statement said.
"On January 31, 2023, an arrest was made at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme corridor.
"Also on the same day, at a about 05:30 a.m, our men on patrol along Gbethrome base intercepted six Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names, two Senegalese International Passports.
"Three Togolese International Passports, four Republic of Benin International Passports, one Republic of Niger International Passport, and ten International Driving Licenses from these different countries from two male suspects who are also in our custody pending further investigation," he said.
According to Nnadi, the command also seized 1,300 30 litre Jerry cans of petroleum, equivalent to 39,000 litres, with a Duty Paid Value of N9,366,350.
The products were seized along the creeks, according to the controller.
"Also seized were 55 sacks containing 550 pieces of donkey skin with a DPV of N11,371,511.
"The significance of the seizure is that it demonstrates how much our endangered species are being eroded by unpatriotic elements.
"These achievements have not come easy; it has taken the painstaking efforts of the officers who spend hours on patrol and surveillance to record the seizures," he explained.
However, he stated that the command's main source of revenue, import and export, had not increased since the Federal Government of Nigeria directed the opening of land borders.
Nnadi stated that some traders were still dealing with the consequences of being out of business for more than two years.
He stated that the command would continue to engage and educate the public about the socioeconomic implications of smuggling while also carrying out its statutory function of enforcing compliance in accordance with government fiscal policies.
The controller praised other sister agencies' collaborative efforts in the fight against smuggling and asked for their continued support.