Customs FOU Kaduna Arrests 5 Over Impound Expired Milk, Juice Powder

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Handing over some of the seized items to sister agencies in the spirit of the SOP

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone B Kaduna said it impounded and prevented a consignment of expired milk and juice powder  from getting into the market, in addition to arresting a total of five suspects in connection with the expired products among other items seized by its operatives between January and February 16, 2024.

Bags of the expired products

Briefing news men in Kaduna, the Unit Controller, Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi said the arrest of the expired products is in keeping with the service’s mandate of safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and by extension the national security.

Some of the expired items

While the Unit Controller further disclosed that his officers and men recorded sundry other seizures in its anti-smuggling activities, he put the total Duty Paid Value of the seizures at one billion, nine hundred and seventy-five million, six hundred and six hundred and fifty-seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-five naira and ninety-six kobo, #1, 975,657,865.96, only.

In the middle, Comptroller Cheldi and Unit PRO Sulaiman with packets of the some of the offensive items

He listed 3 trucks among the means of conveyance of the offensive seized items seized scomprising of used foreign shoes, foreign parboiled rice, second hand clothing, expired milk and juice powder, foreign soaps, pastas, textiles among other things.

Comptroller Cheldi explained that the truck of expired milk and foreign seasoning power were concealed with sacks of dried hides and skin with the intention of evading detention.

While showcasing the expired products and other seized items to news men, Cheldi said, “On 11 February 2024 at about 2200hrs, the operatives of the Unit acting on credible intelligence along Tsafe-Funtua Road in Zamfara State intercepted one truck on the suspicion of improper importation.

“Further examination revealed that the truck was conveying 75 cartons of expired foreign jolly juice powder and 8 sacks of foreign expired milk powder that were found to have expired since 2019 thus unfit for human consumption.

“The expired milk was concealed with sacks of dried hides & skin. These are expired, unused and contaminated items which if not intercepted by our operatives would cause havoc to the society in general”, he said.

Seized compromised pneumatic tyres

While noting that some of the operations were intelligence based, the FOU Kaduna boss said, “On Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at about 2200hrs, the operatives of the unit intercepted one truck conveying one Hundred and seventy-nine, 179, bags of tiger nuts, 50Kg each, based on intelligence along Maigatari/Malamfatori/Birniwa axis of Jigawa State.

Seized autos

“On the 3^rd February 2024, the operatives of the Unit arrested 3 Trucks along Gumel-Kano along Gumel-Kano road, Jigawa State. The arrest was made following information shared by the intelligence network of the NCS-Headquarters, Abuja on the suspicion that they were conveying prohibited items.

“Hundred percent physically examination was conducted at the premises of Kano/Jigawa Command and the 3 trucks were found to contain 5076 cartons of foreign soap, 703 bales of foreign second-hand clothing, 925 cartons of macaroni, 320 bales of foreign textiles and 12 Jumbo sacks of foreign used shoes.”

Cheldi attributed the impressive scorecard to the commitment of his officers and men, noting “the operatives of the Unit have for the period under review remained resolute in the fight against smuggling.”

He also disclosed that two suspects were arrested and detained at the Kano/Jigawa Command in connection with the seizures, adding that the suspects have however been granted administrative bail pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

He said “Other items seized within this period are: 237 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each), 1837 cartons of foreign spaghetti, macaroni and couscous, 1707 jerry-cans of premium Motor Spirits, PMS, 25litres each, 3459 cartons/sachets of Amoxicillin, Artesunate, 500 Mg, 35 cartons of flame lighters, 2089 cartons of foreign dates, 142 cartons of YES Cigarrettes, 810 pieces of foreign used tyres, many vehicles deposited at various Customs formations in the Zone, among others.

“The Total Duty Paid Value of the Seizures made within the period under review is One Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Six Hundred and Six Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira and Ninety-Six Kobo, #1, 975,657,865.96, only.”

Also explaining the circumstances surrounding some of the seizures and the nature of some of them, the unit controller lamented that bringing unfit items for consumption will only compound the present difficulties faced by ordinary masses of the country.

“It is important to mention that the foreign dates and the Tiger-Nuts by their nature are edible and perishable goods would be auctioned in line with the provisions of Paragraph 15 (b) of the Schedule of the Nigeria Customs Service Act No. 35, 2023.

“These unprecedented seizures were made as a result of contravention of several sections of NCS Act 2023 and breach of extant Presidential directives on border closure.”

The FOU Zone B Controller warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities or face the wrath of the law, noting that the NCS leadership zero tolerance for infraction or compromise will be implemented to the letter.

“It is a fact that things are difficult for common men in this country, despite this; smugglers are adding to the suffering of the citizens by smuggling these expired and unhealthy items that are injurious to health and wellbeing of the people.

“The Unit is an enforcement arm of the Service that will continue to arrest situations that may harm the citizens of this Country. I want the general public to know that the personnel of the NCS are Nigerians too and we share in their pains at this critical time. However, the Unit will not relent until smugglers are out of business. We will not be tired in our twenty-four hours and seven days round the clock enforcement drive to suppress smuggling.”