A warehouse believed to be storehouse of imported contraband tomato paste prior to distribution, has been raided, confiscated and sealed by the operatives of the sealed by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control.

 

This incident happened on Thursday, May 18, 2023 as confirmed by Mr. Adeniran Kazeem ho is the agency’s Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer. He also confirmed the arrest of one Mr Obiora John, who is the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Layout, for allegedly imported with intent of distributing contraband tomato paste which is on the federal government’s list of contraband importation products in the country.

 

Mr. Adeniran Kazeem added that Obiora John allegedly removed the NAFDAC seal of closure the agency placed on his facility in November 2022. He added that the NAFDAC’s aim of raiding and sealing contraband drinks and food distribution companies in the country was to promote, encourage and create an enabling environment for local manufacturers. He said;

“Upon our interrogation, we noticed that the company removed the agency seal placed at the facility in November 2022 without the agency’s approval.

 

“The company’s accountant told us that the company had stopped the importation and distribution of contraband 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 to date.”

Members of the public have been asked to stop patronizing the distributors of imported contraband products in stores and open market. Kazeem added that the agency would curb the importation of illicit and contraband products into the country to save the economy.