CONTRABAND: FOU Customs Zone ‘A’ intercepts 1,200 cartons of frozen poultry products

The anti-smuggling unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) based in Lagos, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has again thwarted the efforts of suspected smugglers bent on circumventing the Federal Government’s trade policy.
The Unit yesterday displayed about 1,200 cartons of poultry frozen products intercepted by the operatives.
The products, which allegedly were being conveyed in a cooling truck with registration number RIVERS PHC 653 XA, were packed alongside cartons of frozen fish, ostensibly to mask them.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Unit, Comptroller Isa Nuhu, while briefing journalists on the seizure, said that the products were intercepted last weekend based on a tip off along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“We are all aware that poultry products are prohibited, but, in attempt to beat us, they decided to conceal it with fish, so that anytime our officers open it and see it’s fish, they will let it go,” he said.
Although the duty paid value (DPV) of the products could not be ascertained as at press time, Nuhu assured that the Unit will continue to wreak havoc on the nefarious activities of smugglers.
A suspect nabbed along with the alleged contraband, and who simply identified himself as Balik Bayowa, however, denied having knowledge of the items being conveyed in the truck.
He said he was not the driver of the truck, but had only been hired as a truck agent.
The FOU Zone ‘A’ boss said that the suspect will be charged to court after preliminary investigation is concluded,