The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered 20 containers of groundnut oil said top be falsely declared as Disodium Phosphate.

Disclosing this to newsmen, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar said a certain clearing agency named Patwed Investments Company presented 3 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) with C-No. 102101, purporting to be having 7 containers of 7588pk of Disodium Phosphate, while another 7 and 6 containers had different pkgs of the same consignment – Disodium phosphate.

Speaking further, the Controller stated that upon 100 per cent examination with other relevant agencies, it was discovered that none of the containers had Disodium Phosphate other than 25kg kegs of Vegetable Oil.

Bashar maintained that his Command will stop at nothing in it’s resolve to ensure that 100 per cent examination is conducted on all cargoes so as to nip all manner of infractions in the bud in line with the change mantra of the federal government.

Speaking further, the Controller pointed out that painstaking investigation will be conducted to identify those behind the illicit act for prosecution.

On the legal implications, he explained that the importation contravenes the import regulations, particularly sections 46 & 47 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, CAP C 45 Laws of the Federation as amended.

He commended his team of officers for demonstrating due diligence and professionalism in the discharge of their official functions, vowing to deal decisively with non-compliant importers or their agents, while assuring those who are compliant with the extant laws of his readiness to ensure facilitation of their legitimate trade.