Customs intercepts 1,600 drums of expired tomato concentrate at PTML

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted 1,600 drums of expired tomato concentrate concealed in 20 containers belonging to a company identified as Nikecristy Investment Limited at the Port and Terminal Multi services Limited (PTML).

Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi who conducted newsmen round the seizure at PTML in Lagos on Friday said each of the containers laden with 80 drums were falsely declared as Almond Shell.

Adeniyi said the containers which were imported from Spain have a Duty Paid Value ( DPV) of over N116.2million with one suspect arrested.

He said, “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 introducing 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 one hundred and sixteen million, two hundred and eleven thousand, seven hundred and twenty-five naira, seventy-three kobo (#116,211,725.73).

“The container numbers involved in this illicit operation are as follows: ACLU 2790243, GCNU 1275582, GCNU 1303278, GCNU 1336137, GCNU 1361905, GCNU 1316824, GCNU 1323314, GCNU 1324727, GCNU 1326210, SEGU 3388813, ACLU 2800629, GCLU 13218553, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1302570, GCNU 1308140, SEGU 3333426, and SEGU 3338351.

“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,” he said.

The Customs boss who described the seizure as unprecedented in the history of the command said operations that led to the discovery of the expired products aligns with the goals of the NCS under his leadership to curb smuggling, safeguard national revenue, ensure the security of the nation, and promote legitimate trade and businesses.

“This seizure, which was processed through three separate single good declarations (SGDs) forms, is a testament to the NCS 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, ” he said.

Adeniyi, while warning importers and their agents against unlawful and dangerous importation, said attempts to introduce such a large quantity of expired food products into the Nigerian market is not only heartless but inexcusable.

“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.

“It is essential to reiterate that compliant automobile importers and their agents can now expect streamlined clearance processes, with consignments being cleared within three hours when importations adhere to our regulations, involve honest declarations, and prompt payment of customs duties.

“I implore all importers and their agents to act patriotically by making honest declarations. Remember that compliance brings numerous benefits, including building a reputation for integrity, saving time and money by avoiding demand notices and penalties, and staying out of legal troubles that could lead to imprisonment, loss of licenses, and blacklisting,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Customs CG has handed over the seizure to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).

Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Francis Onaniwu, who received the consignment on behalf of the Director General appreciated the collaboration between NAFDAC and the NCS in safeguarding public health.

“We know the damaging effect such products will cause to the populace when it gets into circulation. So we want to appreciate the NCS for the collaboration. We appreciate them and we will continue to synergize with them in carrying out our operations.

“What we are doing is safeguarding public health. These are raw materials, they are not finished products and if they get into circulation, they will revalidate and change the date to make it current and it will be reprocessed into smaller parts. You can imagine the number of tins of tomatoes that one drum will make and we know the health implications on people who will consume it,” he said.

Onaniwu also commended the Controller of PTML Command, Comptroller Saidu Yusuf for ensuring fake and expired products are not allowed to come into the country through PTML.