The acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, spoke about how Customs seized 4, 252 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 299 cartons of codeine syrup, and 5,600 liters of Premium Motor Spirit among others at different places around Lagos and Ogun States.
Adeniyi while talking to journalists at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja on Wednesday, said that the seizing of those codeine boxes was done within two weeks of August.
He said the hard drugs were sized at Ijebu Ode junction.
“Last week, officers of the Federal Operating Unit Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, stopped a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode Junction. An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” he said.
However, he lamented that despite the negative impact of removing fuel subsidies on the economy, smugglers still attempt to transport petrol across the border.
He said, “The following seizures of both items were recorded: a total of 4,252 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun State, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 area in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
“Similarly, 5,600 liters of Premium Motor Spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to takeout these strategic resources through the Oja-Odan area of Ogun State.”
Adeniyi said, the smuggling of rice affect the nation’s revenue and damage its food security.
“Other items seized in the last two weeks include 291 bales of second-hand clothing comprising 57 sacks and four jumbo sacks of used shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 pieces of rugs, five units of vehicles and 170 pieces of used tires,” he added.
According to him, codeine syrup abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, memory loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain. He also stated that seizing used tires would reduce auto crashes caused by smuggled ones.