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THE Ogun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded four lorry loads of assorted prohibited goods worth several millions of Naira on the Lagos/Sagamu/Benin Expressway in an early morning special operation.
THE Ogun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded four lorry loads of assorted prohibited goods worth several millions of Naira on the Lagos/Sagamu/Benin Expressway in an early morning special operation.
The Ogun State Area Comptroller, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo who led the patrol operations told newsmen in Abeokuta that the trucks on their way to the Eastern part of the country were intercepted on the expressway near Sagamu as a result of "superior intelligence networking.."
He said that among the contraband goods found in three of the trucks were traveling bags, suitcases, cartons of Turkey brand vegetable oil, various brands of juice, corn beef, assorted can beer and frozen Turkey.
Taiwo said the fourth truck was loaded with only Apples and that the frozen Turkey "of about 25 cartons" were destroyed immediately in the presence of relevant agencies.
Taiwo, who attributed their success to special intelligence surveillance instituted by his Command to checkmate smuggled goods passing through the state, said that the efforts of the command paid off with the arrest of eight persons made up of the four drivers and four vehicle assistants accompanying the vehicles and now assisting the Service in identifying the real owners.
He said that the command continuous unrelentless war against smuggling had reduced smuggling around the border area with the Republic of Benin which hitherto was a haven for smugglers..
Taiwo argued that it is an indication that smuggling was on the decrease along the Idiroko borders.
in the value of the Beninoise currency, and the increase in prices of some goods, like rice, which had been enjoying unfettered patronage of smugglers.
He, however said the success achieved by the command in reduction of smuggling was not without several threats made to intimidate him and his officers.
Taiwo related an instance when some people accosted him and accused him of allegedly frustrating their smuggling business, and warned him of the dire consequences to the command in its continuing onslaught against smuggling.
He reiterated that the Customs Headquarters was passionate about stamping out smuggling in all its ramification and that the plan was to fight smugglers until they went bankrupt.