Lagos - The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ikeja said on Wednesday that it impounded 432 contraband valued at N41.8 million in January.
The Public Relations Officer of the unit, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures was N50.4 million.
He said that the command made 104 seizures valued at N60.6 million in the corresponding period of 2012, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N85.5 million.
Ejesieme said that 13 suspects were arrested in January 2013, compared with 32 suspects arrested in the same period in 2012.
``For January 2013 alone, we’ve been able to intercept and destroyed a total of 2173 cartons of assorted frozen poultry products valued at N6 873 500 with a Duty Paid Value of N8 248 200.
``You will recall that sometimes last year, I told you about the circular from the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Abdullahi DIkko Inde, CFR, to the effect that there should be a zero tolerance for importation of poultry products.
``We have not lost sight of that. We have continued to key into that directive to make sure that we rid our markets of these unwholesome products.”
Ejesieme urged the smugglers to have a change of attitude toward smuggling of contraband into the country.
He urged Nigerians to stop patronising the frozen foods sellers, which he described as hazardous to health.
NAN