Customs services have seized approximately 1207 mobile phones and accessories from during a check carried out at the Karata Checkpoint in Limbe, Southwest Region.
It was on May 25, 2021 that routine checks were being carried out at the junction by the elements of law.
While on the job, the customs authorities stumbled on the suspected traffickers who were transporting the goods contained in 21 boxes.
A further search found them to be brand new mobile phones and other expensive accessories, believed to have been smuggled into Cameroon from Nigeria.
The suspects of the goods have been placed under custody and the merchandise seized.
The Head of the Customs Unit in Limbe notes that it is however not the first time in recent times that such an arrest has had to be made in the seaside city of Limbe.
Barely days ago, over 5000 smuggled watches were seized from another set of traffickers at that a checkpoint. Also, on May 11, over 1900 mobile phones were seized from traffickers in Idenau. Several other arrests have also been made in Douala and Ekok in similar happenings.
The General Directorate of Customs has revealed that less than 100 Million FCFA is collected monthly on customs, compared to the 2 Billion FCFA collected in the 2000’s. The decline contradicts an increase in quality and quantity of mobile phones imported into the country.
This huge deficit is largely blamed on illegal smugglers.
Mimi Mefo Info
Limbe: Customs seize over 1200 Mobile phones from traffickers
