FOU Customs intercepts hard drugs conceals with pepper, vegetables
By Silas Onuoha
The seized drugs:
It was another shocking discovery, as the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a vehicle loaded with hard drugs (Indian Hemp), but concealed with fresh pepper, tomato and vegetables.
This amazing seizure is happening only few days after the same Unit displayed massive seizures of prohibited items, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N1.1billion intercepted within few weeks of operations.
Business Update correspondent was on ground and witnessed the seized items, as well as the technique of concealment exposed at the premises of FOU Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos.
The hard drugs were loaded from inside the vehicle while the baskets of pepper, tomato and vegetables were arranged in front to cover the drugs, but FOU operatives were able to uncover the smuggler’s trick and seized the vehicle.
The pepper, tomato and vegetables that are perishable items, were auctioned immediately to market women at the Unit.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Unit, Mr. Jerry Attah, speaking on behalf of the CAC frowned at activities of smugglers, calling on the public to always give Customs useful information that would help in tracking prohibited items, no matter the method of concealment.
