Lawal talks tough, impounds N120m contraband,fake products

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Yusuf Lawal  has warned unscrupulous businessmen and economic saboteurs to steer clear of the zone and perish the thought of plying their offensive trade within an inch of his territorial zone, noting that his officers and men are fully on the ground to frustrate any such attempt.

The Unit Controller who was speaking in Benin City during a press briefing to showcase seizures made by the unit between July and August 2021, displayed fake and contraband items worth over N120million seized within the period under review.

A statement by the Unit Public Relations Officer, Jerry Attah, listed the items to include 130x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice and 2,181 cartons of foreign cosmetic products without National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, intercepted along the Okada/ Benin express way.

Lawal said the cosmetic products include 457 cartons of Simple Sensitive Skin Expert; 790 cartons of Facial Wash, 232 cartons of Carotone Cream, 574 cartons of various brands of cosmetics and 128 cartons of Revlon Almay Goddess Gloss.

Other seized items impounded by the unit within the period are 440 cartons of Artesunate injection without NAFDAC number intercepted along the Okada – Benin expressway, 449 cartons of fan pop sweets intercepted along the Lagos – Benin expressway, and 161 jumbo bales of used clothing intercepted along the Enugu- Port -Hacourt expressway.

The unit controller urged Nigerians to be wary of fake and smuggled products which he said are not only hazardous to human health but also hurting the economy of the country.

One of the impounded vehicle used as means of conveyance

He said, “We urge Nigerians to confirm the quality of a product before purchasing it for use because so many medicinal and cosmetic products are being smuggled into the country without a NAFDAC number.

Contraband consumable

“Those who use non NAFDAC certified cosmetic products stand the risk of skin cancer just as those who consume anti-malarial drugs without a NAFDAC number are only experimenting with their lives.

“Our men and officers are fully prepared to face smugglers head-on especially during the ember months in line with our mandate; we will leave no stone unturned”, he said.