The Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE on Wednesday said 1,306 bags of foreign rice smuggled into the country was intercepted.
This was revealed by the NNS BEECROFT Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, in Apapa, Lagos State.
Nimmyel said the rice was earlier intercepted on Saturday during routine and anti-smuggling operations at Majidun Community in Ikorodu West Local Government Area.
“Operation AWATSE team while conducting routine security and anti-smuggling operations within their area of operations intercepted the bags being smuggled.
“The vehicles suspected to be involved in the smuggling activities attempted to evade security at its checkpoint, which necessitated a swift pursuit by the Operation AWATSE Quick Response Team (QRT).
“The operation was conducted with commendable professionalism and restraint as no casualties were recorded,” Nimmyel who is the Maritime Component Commander, South-West Operation AWATSE Commodore said.
He said the move aimed at assisting statutory agencies in curbing smuggling activities within our Area of Operations.
According to him, the smuggled parboiled rice has been handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Apapa.
Nimmyel said that this was in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution.
THE WHISTLER earlier reported the raid of the Utako Ultramodern Market and the confiscation of illegal rebagged rice by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The raid is a response to intelligence received by the commission.
