TheNewsGuru

Tag: Customs

  • We confiscated 3,665 vehicles worth N13bn in two years – Customs

    The Comptroller General of Customs, retired, Hameed Ali, said that the service has seized 3,665 vehicles from 2015 till date with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N13 billion.

    Ali said this during his lecture titled “Problem of Smuggling and its attendant Consequence on Nigeria’ s Economy and the Way Out” at the IBB Golf and Country Club, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Ali, who gave a breakdown of the seizures, said in 2015, 1,917 vehicles were seized with DPV of N3.856 billion and 1,483 vehicls were seized in 2016 with DPV of N2.683 billion.

    He added that from January to August his year 265 were seized with DPV of N6.625 billion.

    The Customs boss said that the high value recorded in 2017 was because most of the vehicles were of high value which included 15 bullet proof vehicles.

    Ali said out of the 18 vehicles seized in September in Abuja over non-duty payment, 13 were bullet proof vehicles of which 10 have no Customs papers.

    He said that Nigeria imported about 70 per cent of its needs and that 45 per cent of all the imports were smuggled into the country.

    “Lack of patriotism among the traders and complicity of Customs officers has added to the problem.

    “Over 85 per cent traders are not trustworthy as they falsify documents except for about five per cent of them who can be trusted and often have their goods cleared within 48 hours,” Mr. Ali said.

    He said that the four arms containers intercepted this year were concealed with many cases of under declaration and diversion of imported goods.

    On the challenges of Customs in fighting smuggling, he said the Service lost three officers this year.

    Ali said that Customs under him was being sanitised and now very few corrupt officers in its midst.

    “Ninety per cent of our officers are now imbibing the culture of doing the right thing.”

    He urged Nigerians to report corrupt officers to enable the service weed out the 10 per cent of the corrupt officers.

    Ali said that importers must be patriotic and stop inducing officers to fast track clearance of their goods.

    According to him, smuggling is a problem to the society that kills the local industries, adding that it hinders the growth of the economy.

    Ali attributed the cause of smuggling to greed.

     

  • BREAKING: 28 Customs officers arrested in connection with seized arms

    The Nigerian Customs Service has on Wednesday arrested and detained 28 officers working at the Tin-Can Island Command of the Service in connection with a cache of over 1,500 arms imported illegally into the country.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru published yesterday another seizure of arms by Customs, which marked the fourth in the series of arms confiscation at tin can port alone within eight months.

    Following the arrest of the 28 officers by Customs on Wednesday [today], there have been panic among top officers of the command as some of them are likely to be affected by the ongoing investigation.

    It was also gathered that the detained officers whose names are yet to be released to the public are also being interrogated to determine their level of involvement in the botched plan to ferry the container of arms out of the port undetected

    According to a top official close to the command who spoke with TheNewsGuru.com under condition of anonymity the officers and their civilian collaborators will soon appear in court but not until the Service has carried out a detailed and thorough investigation on the matter.

    Meanwhile, some of the 28 officers might be left off the hook if the ongoing investigation does not find them culpable as some of them might only be involved in the documentation but not privy to the content of the container.

    It would be recalled that some operatives of the Intelligence Unit of the Service on routine duty on September 6th became suspicious of a 1x20ft container which was not initially listed for examination but had through questionable means been positioned with other containers for the day’s examination.

    They also discovered that the seal of the container had been cut and padlocked.

    The suspicious movement of the container made them ordered that the container be transferred immediately to the Enforcement Unit where it was examined and pump action riffles found in it.

    This is the fourth time in this year that the Customs will be intercepting arms and ammunitions from the ports in Lagos.
    A total of 2,656 riffles have been intercepted since the beginning of this year.

  • Breaking: Customs uncovers another 475 rifles in Lagos

    The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday uncovered another set of 475 rifles.

    TheNewsGuru gathered authoritatively that the guns were discovered after the Area Controller of the Command, Bashir Yussuf ordered a detailed profiling of the importer of the 1,100 rifles intercepted last week.

    The weapon consignment [The 20-foot container is numbered CMAU189817/8] according to TheNewsGuru’s findings belonged to the same importer.

    This seizure is the fourth in the series of arms seizure at tin can port alone within eight months.

    A source who witnessed the examination of the container told our correspondent that the riffles were concealed with small connecting pipes.

    “The container was owned by the same importer of the 1,100 guns. After a detailed profiling of the importer ordered by the Area Controller, it was discovered that he still has another container inside the port, so they fished it out”

    “But I don’t know why they are hiding the identity of the importer, it could even be the government themselves importing this weapons” the source said.

    As at the time of filing this report, the container was being examined at the enforcement unit of customs, while a large number of Customs Intelligence Officers (CIU) and enforcement officers barred port users from witnessing the counting of the guns.

    However, when he was contacted by our correspondent, the spokesperson of Tin Can Customs, Uche Ejesieme could not confirm the development.

    He said he was not aware of such developments. “I am not aware and I don’t know anything about it” he said.
    Efforts to reach the Deputy Controller in charge of enforcement at Tin Can Port, Mr. Dera Nnadi proved abortive as all calls to his phone were not picked.

    Recall that the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) had last Monday displayed 1,100 riffles imported into Tin-can port from Turkey.

    The importation came through the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT). A customs officer and Terminal Clerk of the terminal were arrested in connection with the seizure.

    Ali said that customs would hold the terminal operator responsible for the illegal import and query how the container found its way into the examination bay even though it was not positioned or listed for examination.
    He said that the all the guns were imported from Turkey.

    He said that the bill of laden of the container falsely indicates the content to be wash hand basins and water closets, but thorough examination revealed that it contains 600 pieces of Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles

  • Again, Customs intercept, seize 1,100 pump action rifles in Apapa

    The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on Monday intercepted another batch of 1,100 pump action rifles in Tin-Can Island, Apapa, Lagos.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the weapons, loaded in a 20-feet container were intercepted by the Tin-Can Island Command of the Sevice.

    The weapons, which originated from Turkey, were concealed inside the container whose Bill of Laden indicated that it was conveying hand wash basins.

    The Controller General of Customs, Col. Ahmed Alli, who disclosed the discovery, said that already a Customs officer suspected to have cut the seal of the container without following due process, as well as a clerk at the command have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that this is the third time Customs is intercepting large cache of weapons in Lagos.

    Earlier this year, the commission discovered over 650 Pump Action Rifles concealed in iron doors and other goods shipped into the country from China.

    Till date, no one has publicly claimed ownership of the shipment.

    Also in March, the NCS seized 404 rifles falsely concealed as a Plaster of Paris.

    Details later…

  • Customs dismiss officers linked to arms importation

    The Nigeria Customs Service has dismissed some of its officers who were found culpable in the importation and clearing of arms into the country earlier this year. The officers were found to have illegally released the container load of arms illegally, after collecting bribes.

    The officers’ dismissal was confirmed last weekend by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Customs Service; My Joseph Atah.

    Even though he gave no further details about the dismissed officers, our sources hinted that they might be some of those who were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos recently.

    The officers are Mahmud Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Matthew Okoye, said be at large, and Salihu Danjuma.

    They were alleged to have conspired to import 661 pump action rifles into the country from Turkey through the Apapa Port in Lagos, using a 40-feet container, which they falsely claimed contained steel doors.

    To facilitate the illegal importation, the accused allegedly forged a number of documents including a bill of lading, a Form M and a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report.

    It was gathered that the accused allegedly forged a bill of lading issued at Istanbul on January 9, 2017, claiming that it was issued at Shanghai, China.

    In the forged bill of lading, they allegedly filled “steel door” as the content of the container instead of rifles.

    It was alleged further that they offered a bribe of N400,000 to an official of the Nigeria Customs Service attached to the Federal Operative Unit to influence the said officer not to conduct a “hundred per cent search on the 40-feet container with number PONU 825914/3.”

    The prosecution also alleged that the first accused, Hassan, corruptly gave N1 million to government officers at the Apapa Port in order to prevent the search of the container by Customs officials.

    The Customs PRO however explained that it was those involved in the first case that have been dismissed, adding that officers implicated in the second case involving importation of 440 pieces of riffles at Tin Can Island Port have only been suspended.

    On the officers, the Customs PRO said: “I can tell you that the officers involved in the arms scandals both the one that happened at Mile 2 and the one at Tin- Can have been dismissed and the suspects are facing prosecution. The whole cases of the arms are still in court this is the much I can tell you for now. All the suspects are under prosecution”.

  • Again, customs intercept, confiscate 27 exotic vehicles, contrabands in Lagos

    …Arrest 15 suspects

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone ‘ A’ Ikeja, Lagos has intercepted another 27 exotic vehicles, fake drugs and other items valued at N783.6million

    Fifteen smugglers, the Unit said, were arrested in connection with the seized items.

    The seized 27 exotic vehicles comprises of Toyota Prado, Toyata Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz and other classic vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N228,215,429.1

    The vehicles, findings revealed, are 2007 and 2013 models.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos Monday, its Controller Mohammed Garba said, his officers also seized 145 sacks of 10kg each and 120 parcels of 1kg each of Indian hemp.

    The monetary value of the Indian hemp, the Controller said, is N72,960,000.

    Others contrabands intercepted by the officers and men of the unit were expired rice, frozen poultry, used tyres, used clothes and general merchandise.

    The Controller said the seizures were made between August 9 and 25, 2017.

    He listed other contraband intercepted within the period as including: 1, 237 of 50 kg bags of rice valued at N15.2million; 137 bales of second hand clothing and lace material with DPV of N27million; 523 pieces of used tyres valued at N2.8 million.

    Others are 1,393 cartons of frozen poultry, one container marked FCIU 8437297 laden with used cars and other contraband, one container number, TCLU 178477/5 laden with 308 used truck tyres and tubes and. 858 cartons of rechargeable inverter battery packed in container marked PCIU 1884380.

    Garba added that the anti-smuggling unit recovered N252,1million from duty payments and demand notices on general goods intercepted outside the seaports, airports and borders.

    Garba said that the amount was realised from wrong classification, transfer of value and shortchange in duty payment.

    The Indian hemp and the fake drugs were handed over at the event, to the official of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively.

     

  • Customs impound 37 smuggled exotic cars, arrest 17 suspects

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday said it impounded 37 brand new exotic vehicles estimated at N1.3 billion after bursting a smuggling ring.

    Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) spoke on the seizures while addressing reporters at the Customs Training School in Lagos.

    He said the seizures were made by officers and men of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja and the CGC Compliance Team in Lagos.

    The vehicles, according to Ali, include eight Lexus sports utility vehicles (SUVs) – LX570, 2017 model; 12 Land Cruiser SUVs – GXR, 2017 model and 17 Toyota Hilux of 2016, 2013, 2012, 2012, 2011 and 2009 models.

    Ali added that his men also seized 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N149million.

    It was gathered that some of the smugglers used the number plates on some of the new vehicles as a decoy to beat Customs’ checks. But unknown to them, Customs officials had been monitoring their movement for days before swooping on them.

    Sources closed to the service said when some of the smugglers saw the Customs team on the unapproved routes, they abandoned the vehicles and jumped into the bush to evade arrest.

    The FOU Comptroller, it was gathered, employed credible information and community relation, including collaboration other security agencies, in bursting the smugglers.

    Ali said the service had not received any order from the Federal Government unbanning the importation of vehicles and rice through the land borders.

    According to the Customs boss, his men also confiscated huge parcels and sacks of Indian hemp with duty paid value of N12.7 million.

    The duty paid value of all seized items was over N1.6 billion

    Seventeen suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

    Eleven of the suspects, it was learnt, were released on bail. Six are still in detention.

    “The 37 vehicles have a duty paid value of N1,374,122,679.00. Similarly, the 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice have a duty paid value of N149,007,658.

    “Apart from the seizure of vehicles and rice, the reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded another 156 assorted seizures including bales of used clothing, Indian hemp and used tyres that are inimical to the health of our people and our country.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government policies banning the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders are still in force. The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute to work towards crippling smugglers and getting them out of the illegitimate business.

    “In the face of security and economic challenges, no responsible government will fold its hand while unpatriotic elements continue to engage in illegal activities that will further compress national economic and security well-being of her people.”

     

     

  • Customs intercept N1.374bn cars in Lagos

    Customs intercept N1.374bn cars in Lagos

    In a single haul in Lagos, the Nigeria Customs Service has made a seizure of high profile vehicles valued at N1.374bn.

    The Comptroller General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali, (Rtd), disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday while showing 37 assorted Sports Utility Vehicles and used cars seized by the service to journalists.

    Ali reiterated the NCS’s commitment to remain steadfast in its anti smuggling efforts.

    He said that eight units of brand new 2017 model of Lexus LX570, and 12 units of 2017 model of Toyota Land Cruiser were among the seized cars as well as 17 units of Toyota Hilux ranging from 2010 to 2019 models.

    The Customs CG said that the seizures were jointly made by the CGC’s Compliance Team and the Roving Team of the Federal Operations Unit in Lagos.

    He said in addition to the vehicle seizures, his men also made seizures of rice.

    He said, ”Similarly, a total of 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice with a duty paid value of N149m were seized.

    ”Apart from the seizure of vehicles and rice, the reinvigorated anti smuggling operations yielded another 156 assorted seizures including bales of used clothing, Indian hemp, and used tyres.”

    He pointed out that the Federal Government’s policies banning the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders were still in force.

    “Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute to working towards crippling smugglers and getting them out of the illegitimate business,” he stated.

    Ali added that customs officers have been instructed to use their arms to avoid being killed or injured.

  • Suspected armed robbers kill 2 customs officers in Katsina

    The Katsina State Custom Command of the Nigerian Customs Service has confirmed the killing of two of its officers by suspected armed robbers.

    The Spokesman of the command, Mr Peter Duniya, who confirmed the killing in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Monday, said the officers were killed on July 30 while on duty.

    He said that the officers were shot dead by people, suspected to be armed robbers on Daura Road in Katsina.

    Duniya said the officers were on routine patrol at Dogon-Hawa Community, near Shargalle Village in the Dutsi Local Government Area of the state when they met their fate.

    The spokesman named the dead officers as Assistant Superintendent of Customs Babandi Nuradeen and Chief Superintendent of Customs Maidama Yabo.

    “The command has already commenced investigation into the circumstance that led to the shootings of the officers,” he stated.

    Duniya said that the command had deployed officers from the intelligence unit of the customs to unravel the reason for the killing.

     

     

     

    NAN

  • Customs partners INTA to end product counterfeiting in Nigeria

    In its bid to put an end to product counterfeiting in Nigeria, both the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) have joined hands to tackle scourge of counterfeit goods and its negative impacts on intellectual property, job creation and health.

    This new position was reached recently, during a visit to the national headquarters of the Customs in Abuja by a delegation of the INTA.

    The team was met by the Customs’ Acting Deputy Comptroller-General (Strategic Research and Policy), Dr. Patience K. Iferi.

    On the delegation were Tat-Tienne Louembe, the INTA’s Representative for Africa and the Middle East; a Lagos State-based intellectual property legal expert, Akeem Aponmade; and Regina Onwumere, Associate, Aluko & Oyebode).

    Iferi, who received the team on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hameed I. Ali (rtd.), announced the agency’s commitment to tackling the menace.

    During the meeting, the two parties deplored the scourge of counterfeit goods and its negative impacts on intellectual property, job creation and health. The Acting Deputy Comptroller-General underscored the key role of the NCS in protecting the country from various threats and seized the opportunity to call for more technical assistance from the INTA on products identification, protection of Indigenous products and sensitization campaigns.

    In response, INTA expressed willingness to further partner with NCS and facilitate the dialogue with brand owners via its Custom Connection Programme and the UNREAL Campaign.

    The Custom Connection Programme is conducted by Intellectual property rights (IPR) holders through training webinars and has so far significantly contributed to increase customs agents’ capacity in identifying counterfeit goods.

    Subsequently, INTA members presented the Association activities in the country undertaken by the Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (Nigeria Chapter) extended an invitation to attend INTA/ACC next event. In October 2017, the ACC Nigeria will organize a Roundtable themed “Anti-Counterfeiting and Business Climate”.

    Last year, under the theme “Cost Effective Measures and Practical Tactics in Combating Counterfeiting & Piracy Activities” the annual ACC/INTA Roundtable celebrated its 10thanniversary.

    It brought together brand owners, regulators, enforcement practitioners, IP lawyers, the press, practitioners in the entertainment industry and other key stakeholders to discuss possible cost effective measures and practical tactics in combating counterfeiting and piracy in light of the current economic climate.

    INTA is a global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce.

    With offices in Brussels, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore and Washington D.C. and representatives in Geneva and New Delhi, INTA undertakes advocacy work throughout the world to advance trademarks and offers educational programs and informational and legal resources of global interest. Etienne Sanz de Acedo, a national of Spain, is the current CEO of INTA.