The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it made 246 arrests and seized 7,519 contraband worth N8.79 billion during its anti-smuggling campaign in 2014.
This is contained in the Service’s Annual Report released by the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection Department in Abuja.
According to the report, out of the arrests, 26 persons have been convicted during the year under review.
It also stated that the seizure during the year decreased by 697, while the Duty Paid Value (DPV) on seized goods increased by N285.73 million from N8.50 billion recorded in 2013.
A commodity analysis of the report showed that 241,278 units of 50kg bags of rice worth N1.41 billion in 2,719 were seized recorded during the year.
The report showed that 1,702 vehicles worth N2.14 billion were seized in 1,672 operations, while 115,216 cartons of poultry products worth N622.52 million were involved in 510 operations during the year.
It added that 1.75 million dollars, an equivalent of N281.26 million, was seized, while 38,628 bales and sacks of textile materials worth N743 million were seized in 338 operations.
The report said other goods worth N3.66 billion were seized in 2,265 operations; 1,030 bundles/pairs of camouflage as well as 122 units of arms and 32,622 rounds of ammunition were recorded.
According to the report, the Service has recorded some milestones in capacity building of officers during the year, adding that 919 of them were trained in weapon and 550 in military police training.
It stated that NSC was involved in a number of Joint Tax Force (JTF) activities leading to the deployment of 272 officers of which it recorded four casualties with 262 officers currently in operation.
The report said that 164 officers died in active service, 30 officers were injured or maimed, while the Service lost three arms during the year under review.
It added that the service participated in 22 sports competitions of which it won 40 medals and trophies during the year.
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