TheCable

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it seized 98 contraband goods in Kaduna state in two months.

Dalha Chedi, the comptroller of the federal operations unit (FOU) zone B, announced the development while speaking to journalists on Thursday in Kaduna.

He also said between February 17 and March 28, operatives of the zone made various seizures of goods, with duty paid value (DPV) of N769,465.

The seized items include unregistered alcoholic beverages, foreign parboiled rice, spaghetti, macaroni, couscous, secondhand clothing, premium motor spirit, refined vegetable oil and used vehicles.

“Within the period under review, a total of 98 seizures, comprising 21 different items were recorded. This includes contraband foreign parboiled rice, used foreign shoes, petroleum products, vehicles, and pasta, among others, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769,465,” NAN quoted Chedi as saying.

He reiterated the determination of the NCS to resist any attempts to undermine their operations.

The comptroller warned smugglers to stop sabotaging the nation’s economy by desisting from their illicit activities and embrace legitimate trade.

Chedi further said smugglers now alter Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) of cars to evade detection. He urged the public to verify VINs before purchasing vehicles to avoid legal repercussions.

Chedi advised vehicle owners to take advantage of the 90-day window provided by the NCS for duty documentation regularisation.