Customs Thwart Plan To Smuggle 400 Bags Of Beans Out Of Nigeria

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized about 400 bags of beans being warehoused near the Seme Border for illegal exportation out of the country.

The bags of beans were seized during a raid by operatives of the Seme Area Command of Customs. The Command said contraband and other illicit items seized during the operation had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N365m.

The Service in a statement shared via its official X Account handle on Wednesday disclosed that its operatives executed the operations between January and February 2024.

Highlighting the anti-smuggling activities from January to February 2024, the Seme Border Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Timi Bomodi said its operatives reported 168 interventions resulting in the seizure of 2,193 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 81,930 litres of Petrol Motor Spirit.

Other seizures include “nine vehicles, 1,425 general merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa, and other narcotics, 149 packages of codeine, and two locally manufactured guns, with a combined DPV of N365,888,696.00.”

Speaking of a recent interception, the Customs Service said that the Command seized a truckload of beans totalling 400 bags with a DPV of N61.4 million.

“In light of our present economic realities and the reported massive food shortages nationwide, and in line with the directive to prevent illegal grain export, the Command seized a truckload of beans, totalling 400 bags with a DPV of N61,450,000.00, stockpiled in a warehouse at one of the exit corridors at the border,” the Customs said.

Bomodi added that the item had been deposited in the government warehouse for safekeeping and eventual sale to the public.

Within the period under review, the Service said 13 suspects were arrested, with six granted administrative bail, three handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), one to the Nigeria Police, while three remained in custody.

On revenue generation, the CAC disclosed the Command’s yearly target of N7.875 billion, representing a 400 per cent increase from 2023.

“The monthly collectable revenue is N656.258 million. January 2024 saw a collection of N643,038 million, and February, N517,950 million, totalling N1,160 billion, about 88 per cent of the expected revenue.

“Regarding exports, the Command processed 184 declarations for 43 items weighing 65,185.96 MT, with a FOB of N13.057 billion.

“The total collected for NESS was N65.337 million, and N24.407 million as an export surcharge for previously imported goods.”

Comptroller Bomodi assured that the NCS remains committed to its responsibilities, stating, “These challenging times demand a more formidable defence at the Seme/Krake Joint Border Post as criminals become more desperate and daring.”