The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, Owerri of the Nigeria Customs Service has begun the manhunt for the smugglers of a 20-feet container abandoned along Eleme – Aba road.
The Customs Area Commander in charge of the unit, Mr. David Dimka, told reporters in Onitsha on Wednesday that the container contained 205 bales of high quality printed wax with duty paid value of more than N118m.
Dimka assured that the culprits would be apprehended and prosecuted, saying there was no hiding place for them.
“We are going to find out how the smugglers came about the contraband and get them arrested and prosecuted.
“Today, no matter how rich the people are, they will be touched because their business has been dealt a very big blow,” he said.
He said apart from the havoc smuggling was causing to the economy, the local manufacturers of goods in the country lost huge investments in textile production as a result of low patronage.
He warned members of the public to resist the temptation of getting involved in smuggling as the Nigeria Customs was well equipped to get information about their activities anywhere.