The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has frowned at smugglers attempting to import hazardous products into the country.
 
Adeniyi stated this, following the seizure of expired tomato concentrates concealed in 20 containers at Lagos seaport by the Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Customs command.
 
He said officers and personnel of Customs will always remain vigilant, diligently scrutinising all import and export consignments passing through the nation’s seaports, airports, border stations, dry ports, and terminals to curb smuggling, safeguard national revenue, ensure security and promote legitimate trade and businesses.
  
The Guardian learnt that each of the containers were falsely declared as containing almond shells, with a duty paid value of N116.2 million, all under the auspices of a company identified as Nikecristy Investment Limited.
 
The container numbers involved in the illicit operation are, 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.
 
Adeniyi said 80 drums were meticulously arranged in each container, amounting to a total of 1,600 drums. 
  
The Customs boss said during a routine examination on August 8, 2023, vigilant officers at PTML uncovered a cache of expired tomato concentrate, deemed unsafe for human consumption.
 
He said 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 as well as directly violates Schedule 4, item 14 of the Common External Tariff (CET) 2022-2026.
 
Adeniyi stated that the seizure, which was processed through three separate single good declaration forms, is a testament to Customs’ unwavering commitment to maximally suppress smuggling and its determination to safeguard the lives of citizens by intercepting dangerous imports such as these.
  
He said the command has apprehended one suspect, Okonkwo Oliver Izunna, who is currently under administrative bail but remains under investigation.
 
The Customs boss issued 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.
 
He further implored all importers and their agents to act patriotically by making honest declarations. Adeniyi advised that compliance builds a reputation for integrity, saves time and money by avoiding demand notices and penalties, as well as staying out of legal troubles that could lead to imprisonment, loss of licenses, and blacklisting.