The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Kaduna, said it intercepted bags of foreign parboiled rice, cartons of foreign spaghetti, unregistered organic fertilizer, and used cars, among other contraband worth N769m in five weeks.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Suleiman Isah.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Dalha Chedi, was quoted in the statement as saying that a total of 98 seizures of 211 different items were made within the period under review.
Chedi added that the unit also intercepted 379 assorted general goods at Daura, Katsina State, for being improperly exported, and 400 cartons of unregistered organic fertilizer.
He added that one of the major seizures recorded within the period under review was the interception of 372 bags of offensive rice concealed in local flour sacks by the smugglers.
“Some of the seized contraband includes 698 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50kg each; 367 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 136 bales of foreign secondhand clothing, 715 jerrycans of premium motor spirit; 25 litres each, 65 jerrycans of foreign refined vegetable oil; 25 litres each, 12 units of used vehicles; nine cartons of Chakapain Xtra 50mg, 425 cartons of foreign milky creamer and milk powder, and 136 pieces of foreign used tyres, among others,” Chedi said.
The CAC added that 14 bags of foreign tiger nuts, 151 cartons of unregistered alcoholic beverages, 1,314 sachets, 68 cartons of foreign butter, 40 cartons of expired foreign general goods, 120 cartons of foreign Eva Soap were also seized within the period under review.
He warned citizens to examine the Vehicle Identification Number before purchasing any vehicles, adding that smugglers now alter the chassis number of vehicles in a bid to avoid arrest or manipulate duty payment.
“I want concerned citizens to always examine the Vehicle Identification Number on the windscreen and that on the chassis (skeleton) of the vehicle they intend to buy because it is an offence under Section 236 (b) of the NCS Act 23 and the offender is liable to a fine of N2m or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both,” he warned.
According to him, it is noteworthy that the zone combined an effective intelligence network in combating and exposing these rice smugglers.
“We remain resolute and will not relent as there is no amount of trick, blackmail, or orchestrated attacks that will dampen our resolve.
“I say to those die-hard smugglers who sponsor mobs to attack our operatives and organise illegal demonstrations against us that they cannot and would not discourage and deter us from carrying out our jobs,” he said.
