Customs Intercepts 2.5m Fake Currency Notes, 40 Drums of Ethanol in Ogun

The Ogun Area 1 command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted fake currency notes worth about N2.5m.

This is a just as the command also intercepted 40 drums of ethanol being smuggled into the country.

The command’s Controller, Michael Ojobo Agbara, told newsmen that the fake currency was intercepted due to the vigilance of officers of the command.

Agbara also said that the ethanol will be subjected to court condemnation while the suspect will be prosecuted.

According to him, “This drums are 40 in number and they contain industrial alcohol known as ethanol.

“This is strictly stamped by NAFDAC for industrial use but the criminals divided it to Idiroko and sell it to the public who mix it with water and take it as alcoholic drinks.

“This is harmful to the health of the people. It is a criminal activity for anyone to convert it to domestic use.

“My men were able to intercept the truck conveying the drums through the border drills.

“We will go for court condemnation and we will prosecute them”.

While being interviewed, Samson Odebija, a palm wine tapper, saidbhe was he was commissioned by on Alfa that I should help him transport the fake currency naotesv to Owode from Idiroko.

He however said he regretted his action.

“He promised to have me N5,000 but I was arrested by officers.

“I don’t know Alfa from Adam and he has also escaped.

He put the money in a polythene bag but I didn’t check the content”, he said.

Agbara said the command also uncovered an illegal bunkering of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The Controller stated that about 160 jerry cans of 25 litres are being used to engage in the nefarious activity.

His words, “We have been vigilant to preventing the smuggling of fuel out of the country but the smugglers too are not resting.

“So what you’re seeing is a device whereby they hide the tanker and use other vehicles to shield it from public view.

“And inside, they constructed a pipe and put the site in the bush here whereby the fuel is siphoned into a tank and they start filling in jerry cans.

“This is what we are contending with. We have a seizure of that tanker.

“This is was uncovered by our anti-smuggling team and they did it through intelligence.

“We will continue to pleased with the people to provide us with information so that we can serve the nation better”.