Customs Intercepts Containers of Expired Tomato Paste

Eko Hot Blog reports that Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has revealed that 20 containers loaded with expired tomato concentrate at Tin-Can Island port, Lagos have been Confiscated.

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The Customs boss, while displaying the seizure on Friday, said the tomato paste was seized by the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) command of the service on August 8, 2023 and was valued at over
N116 million.

According to Adeniyi, the expired tomato concentrate was falsely declared to contain almond shells and imported by Nikecristy Investment Limited.

Operatives of the Custom Service had discovered the containers of the expired concentrate in August during a routine check and had kept the goods in custody after thorough examination and investigations the exposure to the public was made on Friday 6, October 2023

Adeniyi confirmed this in a statement “We stand before you to announce a remarkable seizure at PTML. We have successfully intercepted and detained a staggering 20 containers filled with expired tomato concentrate, an unprecedented event since the inception of this command.

“On the 8th of August, 2023, during a routine examination, our vigilant officers at PTML uncovered a cache of expired tomato concentrate, deemed unsafe for human consumption. The audacity of the smugglers to attempt to introduce this hazardous product into the Nigerian market is both shocking and disheartening. These expired
tomato concentrates were concealed within 20 containers, each falsely declared as containing almond shells, all under the auspices of a company identified as Nikecristy Investment Limited. In each container, 80 drums were meticulously arranged, amounting to a total of 1,600 drums. The duty-paid value of this illegal cargo is a staggering sum of N116.2 million.”

“As of now, all these containers remain in our custody, officially recorded as seizures. We have apprehended one suspect, Mr. Okonkwo Oliver Izunna, who is currently under administrative bail but remains
under investigation.

“This seizure, which was processed through three separate single good declaration (SGDs) forms, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to maximally suppress smuggling and our determination to safeguard the
lives of Nigerian citizens by intercepting dangerous imports such as these.

“The actions taken by those involved in this unlawful activity contravene the provisions of sections 228(1) and (2), 55 (c and d), and 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Additionally, it directly violates Schedule 4, item 14 of the Common External Tariff (CET) 2022-2026.”

The CGC who deemed this as a contravention and an unlawful act issued a stern warning to importers and their agents to desist from such activities which can impact the lives of consumers negatively through
the consumption of such prohibited goods. He implored them not to stake their profit over the lives of people and reiterated his commitment to go after offenders.

He said, “ I would like to take this opportunity to send a stern warning to importers and their agents, urging them to steer clear of unlawful practices such as false declarations aimed at evading duties
or smuggling prohibited goods into our country.

“The audacious attempt to introduce such a large quantity of expired food products into the Nigerian market is heartless and inexcusable. I want to assure you that our officers and personnel will always remain vigilant, diligently scrutinizing all import and export consignments passing through our seaports, airports, border stations, dry ports, and terminals nationwide”.

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The Customs boss said the operation that led to the seizure aligned with the goals his leadership set for the service.

He maintained that the service’s primary objectives is to curb smuggling, safeguard national revenue, ensure the security of the nation, and promote legitimate trade and businesses.

The container numbers carrying the expired products are listed as follows: ACLU 2790243, GCNU 1275582, GCNU 1303278, GCNU 1336137, GCNU 1361905, GCNU 1316824, GCNU 1323314, GCNU 1324727, GCNU 1326210, and
SEGU 3388813, ACLU 2800629, GCLU 13218553, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1302570, GCNU 1308140, SEGU 3333426, and SEGU 3338351

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