Smugglers Use Bullion Van to Import Rice

NCS

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command on Tuesday intercepted a bullion van loaded with foreign rice and escorted by police along the Saki axis in the Oke Ogun area.

Two persons apprehended with the van are currently being interrogated it said. The Customs Area Controller for the Command, Mr. Tolutope Ogunkua, while parading the intercepted van with its contraband to journalists in Ibadan, remarked that the arrest should send a serious signal to recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy. 

"The arrest of a bullion van meant for conveying cash now used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice should send a serious signal to these recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy that there is no hiding place.

"We are determined to beat all their concealment patterns with our superior intelligence network," the Customs area Controller said.

He told newsmen that the suspects who are currently in custody would be prosecuted in the court of law.

Also paraded was a truck with registration number Adamawa YLA77XA laden with foreign rice and vegetable oil concealed with tubers of yams, and bags of charcoal and millet, in the bid by the smugglers to beat the Customs operatives.

Also, about 30 exotic vehicles including Jeeps and various other brands of cars which were arrested at different locations within the command's area of coverage, for non-payment of import duties were paraded.

Speaking further on the arrests, the Customs Area Controller noted that the command has been on the trail of the bullion van which usually went with police escorts.

He said that the surveillance men had an exchange of gun battle with the suspects who were later apprehended.