The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri has impounded a 40-foot container conveying two thousand cartons of imported frozen poultry products “cleverly concealed with 3,300 crates of Lacasara drinks” worth N53.3million on Benin expressway, Edo State.
The items were suspected to have been preserved with chemicals meant for the preservation of dead bodies by the smugglers, according to a press statement by the zone.
The statement indicated that the interception came on the heels of the seizure of 1,500 cartons of the same hazardous products in January 2016 by the unit.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu reportedly disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Benin.
He said a total of 27 seizures worth N219.2million were made by the unit in February. According to him, 12 suspects were arrested while an underpayment of N65.4million was recovered during the month.
Haruna, who stressed the consequences of continued importation and consumption of unauthorized products in the country, regretted that such products find their way into the country because they are relatively cheap.
While handing over the fake drugs to officials of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), warned those smugglers to desist forthwith in their own interest or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He questioned why smuggling of contraband goods had remained unabated in the country despite stiff penalties for culprits.
He said that the NCS in pursuance of the policy of zero tolerance to corruption by the Federal Government would ensure that there is no hiding place for smugglers.
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