NAFDAC Shuts Contraband Tomato Paste Warehouse

On Thursday, a contraband tomato paste warehouse was sealed by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Rivers.

This was made known by Adeniran Kazeem, the NAFDAC Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Apapa Lagos, while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Kazeem disclosed this after the arrest of Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Layout who allegedly imported and distributed contraband tomato paste, which is in the federal government's list of contraband importation products in the country.

Kazeem also said that Obiora John allegedly removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency in November 2022.

“Upon our interrogation, we noticed that the company removed the agency seal placed at the facility on Novermber 2022 without the agency's approval.

“The company’s accountant told us that the company had stopped importation and distribution of countraband tomato paste since 2020, but we found out that the imported tomato paste seen at the facility was manufactured in 2022.

“We also found out from the company’s records that there have been importation and distribution of the products till date,” he explained.

Kazeem said that the agency's aim of raiding and sealing of contraband drinks and food distribution companies in the country is to promote, encourage and create an enabling environment for local manufacturers.

He urged members of the public to stop patronising the distributors of imported contraband products in the stores and open markets.

Kazeem noted that the suspect has been arrested and that the agency will further investigate and prosecute him.

"I am also advising the importers of contraband drinks,foods and other products to desist from the act or face the consequences", he said.

He assured that the agency would curb the importation of illicit and contraband products into the country to save the economy.

Speaking, Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited at Trans-Amadi industrial layout, said that the company is operating a sketchy business to hold their clients till it starts production at the newly built production factory.

John said that he removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency because he thought that he could after a payment through remittance.