325,950 litres of smuggled petrol enroute Benin Republic intercepted in Lagos

A total 325,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as, petrol was on Thursday intercepted on the verge of being smuggled to Benin Republic from Nigeria.

This is happening despite the recurring issues of fuel scarcity in Nigeria.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme border command, Compt. Mohammed Jibo, while address a press briefing, said 325, 950 litres worth about 10 tankers of 33000 with Duty Paid Value of N65.6m were intercepted along the Badagry and Seme creeks.

According to him, all items seized such as 86 pieces of Apetamin syrup; 302 prices of dynewell syrup; 50 pieces of baba yellow syrup; three sachets of rofhymol, 32 bottles of cough syrup; 99 cartons of fearless energy drink and 139 cartons of soft drinks had a DPV of N1.48billion.

The command also seized 139 cartons of soft drinks,100 cartons of gabadol/tramadol, 120 milligrams, 2.8 kilograms and 306 parcels of cannabis sativa and 132 packets of tramadol capsules.

He, however, said two suspected smugglers were arrested in connection to some of the interceptions, saying the seized petroleum product would be auction in line with standard operating procedure of perishable items.

“In the NCS’s quest to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians, most especially the fight against drug trafficking, today, the Command is handing over the items to both National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. This is sequel to the approval granted by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) and in line with the Standard Operating Procedure and equally in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation and synergy, the items are handed over to NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation,” Jibo said.