By Jennifer Yusuf
The Nigeria Customs Service’s Ogun Area 1 Command has said it has caught fake currency notes worth about N2.5 million.
The command also intercepted 40 smuggled ethanol drums.
Controller of the command, Michael Agbara, told newsmen that the fake currency had been intercepted because of the command officers ‘ vigilance.
He said that while the perpetrators would be tried, ethanol would be subjected to court condemnation.
He said, “These 40 drums contain industrial alcohol known as ethanol.
“This is strictly stamped by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for industrial use but the criminals sold 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.”
Samson Odejiba, the fake currency merchant, said he was hired by an Alfa to bring the currency from Idiroko to Owode.
Odebija, a palm wine tapper, added that for the work he had been given N5,000.
Agbara said the command also discovered an illicit petrol bunkering The controller said about 160 25-liter jerry cans were used to indulge in the nefarious activity.
The smugglers, he says, hid the tanker in the bush and used other vehicles to shield it from the view of the public.
He clarified that a pipe was installed from the bush and fuel is siphoned off the tankers and poured into jerry cans.
