The Nigeria customs at the Muritala Mohammed International airport (MMIA), had seized frozen products worth about N68.9m smuggled into the country.
The cargo section of the Service also seized 23 bags of stun guns, 2 packages of military uniform, walkie talkie, Police Jackets and mini cameras and 25 packaged drones.
This was disclosed at a joint press conference between the Customs Area Controllers of the MMIA Command and Muritala Muhammed Area Command (cargo section), headed by Compt. Adewale Adeniyi and Compt. Lena Oyama.
It was gathered that 40 cartons were intercepted in the South Africa Airways flight and 104 cartons were abandoned on the tarmac of the terminal.
Compt. Adeniyi while addressing journalist said the seizure was as a result of the border closure because the seizure was the first of its kind in the history of the airport commands.
He said: “On the night of November 10, following the discharge of cargo from a South Africa Airways flight 5A060 from Johannesbur‘g, our tarmac operatives intercepted a consignment which were indicated as perishables, and are therefore qualified for pre-release at the cargo wing.
“The officers requested to sight the items before transferring them. Though the airway bill described the goods as fresh vegetables, the contents were later discovered to be assorted frozen products. In all, there were 40 cartons, including beef, pork and fish fillets. It became obvious that the importers, through his agents, have prepared a pre-release documentations purporting the imports to be fresh vegetables with the sole intention to evade the import prohibition order.
“At about 0005 hrs the following morning, another consignment of 104 cartons comprising pork meat, beef and turkey was seen abandoned inside four dollies close to Gate 13. The total duty paid value of the two seizures is N68.9million
“The tarmac seizure is coming on the heels of other seizures recently made at the Cargo Wing. This clearly points to a possible shift of strategy by smugglers. With the border drill making it a nightmare for smuggling operation at the borders. Intelligence has suggested that our airports are now being considered options.”
The NCS Controllers who said, though the MMIA and the cargo section commands are distinct administratively , they have a good working relationship to stop smuggling.
“Though, the commands are distinct administratively , we are still connected in our operations, since the tarmac in the International wing Services the cargo operation in the other command. It is, therefore, imperative for us to create a close working environment to ensure that criminals do not exploit divisions to perpetrate their business. I am glad to inform you that the close working relationship nurtured a smooth take-off of the new Command.
“To ensure effective coverage of the tarmac, we conduct joint surveillance of the tarmac area, an action that resulted in the seizures .”
