Customs arrest 7 vehicles loaded with smuggled rice in Katsina

The Area Controller, Mr Mohammad Jaafar Tanko, told newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina that the vehicles were arrested on Daura-Katsina road.

He said that the smugglers ran and abandoned their vehicles loaded with the rice when they sighted customs on the road who went there using intelligence information.

“Our men rounded up the area; this scared the smugglers and they ran and abandoned the vehicles.

“We were able to apprehend all the seven vehicles loaded with smuggled rice.

“No smuggler was shot or killed during the operation, but one person got injured while attempting to run and has been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“The injured person will be prosecuted after receiving treatment to serve as deterrent to others,’’ Tanko said.

He reaffirmed the determination of the command to ensure zero tolerance on rice smuggling and other items whose importation into the country was prohibited by the government.