NIGERIA – The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, Kaduna, has announced the impounding of a consignment of expired milk and juice powder, among other items, seized between January and February 16, 2024.
The Unit Controller, Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi, revealed that the total Duty Paid Value of the seizures amounted to an impressive #1,975,657,865.96.
The seized items, including three trucks, comprised used foreign shoes, foreign parboiled rice, second-hand clothing, expired milk and juice powder, foreign soaps, pastas, textiles, and more.
Comptroller Chedi disclosed that the truck carrying expired milk and foreign seasoning powder was concealed with sacks of dried hides and skin in an attempt to evade detection.
During a press briefing, Chedi detailed an interception on February 11, 2024, along Tsafe-Funtua Road in Zamfara State, where operatives discovered 75 cartons of expired foreign jolly juice powder and 8 sacks of foreign expired milk powder.
These items, found to have expired in 2019, were concealed with sacks of dried hides and skin. Chedi emphasized the potential harm to society.
“These are expired, unused, and contaminated items which, if not intercepted by our operatives, would cause havoc.”
Chedi highlighted intelligence-based operations, including the interception of a truck carrying 179 bags of tiger nuts based on information along Maigatari/Malamfatori/Birniwa axis in Jigawa State.
Additionally, three trucks arrested along Gumel-Kano road in Jigawa State were found to contain prohibited items, including foreign soap, second-hand clothing, macaroni, textiles, and used shoes.
The Controller attributed the successful operations to the dedication of his officers and men, stating that they remained resolute in the fight against smuggling.
Two suspects connected to the seized items were arrested and detained at the Kano/Jigawa Command, pending ongoing investigations.
Chedi concluded by issuing a stern warning to smugglers, urging them to desist from their activities or face legal consequences.
He emphasized the unit’s commitment to suppressing smuggling and safeguarding the health and well-being of the citizens, urging the public to be vigilant and supportive of the Customs Service’s enforcement efforts.
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