ABUJA: The Nigerian Customs Service in Owerri said it intercepted a truck with 11,315 cartons of imported poultry products whose Duty Paid Value (DPV) stood at N108.6 million.
The Area Controller of Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Mohammed Garba, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Owerri on Thursday.
He said the truck with registration LND 641 XM was impounded at the Benin axis on October 31, while two suspects were arrested with the illicit items.
“The suspects are now helping the Customs in its investigations.
“The truck was ferrying the contraband good by a new strategy contrived by smugglers simply known as ‘false bottom method concealment’ to beat men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The seized truck was cleverly partitioned with wood, bolted and knotted, as a strategy to avoid being detected by Customs officials.
“The inner layer of the partitioned truck was stockpiled with the contraband goods, while the outer layer of the partitions was left empty,” he said.
Mr. Garba expressed worry at the continued indulgence in smuggling by some Nigerians in spite of the obvious consequences.
