The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said its officers intercepted fake $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
Speaking on Thursday during the hand over of the seized items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Customs Area Controller of the MMIA Command, Charles Orbih, said the items were confiscated between January and April.
Orbih said the intercepted items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
“The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.
“The counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s Assistant Commander Oguzi Moses.
“Also, the UAVs and other military hardware were handed over to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman,” he said.
He said the importers of the UAVs were unable to present an end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” Orbih said.
The Customs Area Controller also said that the command generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April this year. He said the amount represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year and 67 percent increase over last year.
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