The Operation Whirlwind Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos successfully intercepted smugglers attempting to transport 10,970 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in sacks on New Year’s Eve.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mahmood Bello, revealed that the smugglers had revived an old smuggling method involving the concealment of PMS in sacks. This was the first time the technique was encountered during Operation Whirlwind, as previous seizures typically involved PMS transported in jerrycans.
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The interception occurred along the Badagry waterside, where Customs operatives apprehended a large canoe carrying 61 sacks and seven jerrycans of PMS intended for smuggling into the Benin Republic. “Each sack contained approximately 150 liters, amounting to a total of 10,970 liters of PMS,” Bello stated.
Reinforced by the Nigerian military, the Customs team successfully evacuated the seized products without any casualties, despite facing resistance from the smugglers. Given the volatile nature of the confiscated PMS, the National Coordinator has directed that the product be auctioned.
