The Ports and Terminals Multi-Services Limited Customs Command shines in the seizure of 20 containers of illegally imported tomato paste from far away Spain
The Ports and Terminals Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized twenty containers of expired tomato concentrate which was imported from Spain and falsely declared as almond shells.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who displayed the seizure in Lagos on Friday, placed the duty paid value of the seizure at over N116million.
The Customs boss commended the eagle-eyed officers of the command under the Customs Area Controller, Compt Saidu Abba Yusuf, saying that their operation align perfectly with the goals his leadership had set for the service.
The Customs boss also reiterated that the primary objectives of his administration are to curb smuggling, safeguard national revenue, ensure the security of the nation, and promote legitimate trade and businesses.
The Command which is largely known for the discharge of Ro-Ro vehicles witnessed the seizure of 20×20 foot containers, all fully loaded with barrels of expired tomato concentrate which is a raw material for making tomato puree.
Showcasing the seizures, CGC Adeniyi 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 containers were processed through the single goods declaration (SGDs) form, but fell to the watchful eyes of the officers.
Adeniyi also stressed, “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 (N116,211,725.73)”.
The illicit containers were identified with the following numbers: 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.
Speaking further, the CGC said, “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 declarations (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.
“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”
The Customs boss said that the twenty containers would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Also speaking at the press briefing, Mr Francis Ononewu, Director of Investigation and Enforcement of NAFDAC said that the seized to tomato concentrate would have had a damaging effect on the health of Nigerians if allowed into the market.
“We want to appreciate Nigerian Customs Service for this collaboration.
We know the quantity 1,600 drums are raw materials, they are not finished products and that means they will revalidate the date change the date to make it current and it will still be reprocessed into smaller parts.
“You can imagine the number of tin of tomatoes that one drum will make, and we know the literal effect of the people who consumed it, the health effect,
“The health implication of people who consume this tomato is that it can cause death at the end of the day if it’s not properly managed.
The Yusuf led command also apprehended one suspect, Mr. Okonkwo Oliver Izunna, who is currently under administrative bail but remains under investigation.
The action of importing these items contravenes 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 Customs boss also used the occasion to hand the seized 20×20 foot containers load of expired tomato concentrate to the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Fielding questions from journalists, CGC Adeniyi said that tomato concentrate is allowed for importation, but that they have shelve lives that should be strictly adhered to and these seized lot breach the tenets or regulations for the goods allowed for importation because for one, they are expired and two, they were falsely declared. He advised that Nigerians should think more of exporting Nigerian made products whether partially or wholly finished in order to shore up the value of our local currency.
While receiving the seized cargoes, the representative of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mr Francis Ononiwu, Director Investigation enforcement said that he appreciates the synergy that exists between his agency and the Customs and detailed that the Customs have been cooperating very much with NAFDAC to safeguard public health, he promised that the consignment will be transferred to a place where they will be destroyed.
