Customs intercepts 3 truckloads of contaminated vegetable oil

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against smuggling with the interception of three truckloads of illegally imported vegetable oil valued at N403.49 million.

The seizure was made by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, following intelligence-driven operations along major smuggling corridors in the South-East.

Customs Area Controller of FOU Zone C, Comptroller Bishir Balogun, said the contraband products were intercepted at strategic locations along the Ninth Mile axis in Enugu State and the Onitsha–Agbor highway.

According to him, the seized items consisted of 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre foreign vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre vegetable oil and 40 cartons of sunflower vegetable oil in various package sizes.

Balogun disclosed that the products were suspected to have been smuggled into the country through unauthorised channels to evade import duties and regulatory controls.

He described the operation as a significant blow to smuggling syndicates engaged in the illegal importation and distribution of foreign goods, noting that such activities constitute economic sabotage and undermine legitimate businesses.

“The illegal importation of vegetable oil violates existing trade regulations and deprives the government of revenue. It also threatens local industries by creating unfair competition for domestic manufacturers,” he said.

The Comptroller added that the successful interception was made possible through credible intelligence and enhanced surveillance of routes frequently used by smugglers.

He said investigations have commenced to identify those behind the illegal shipment and unravel the network responsible for its movement into the country.

Balogun warned individuals involved in smuggling to abandon the illicit trade, stressing that the Service would sustain its crackdown on economic crimes through intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.

He further disclosed that the seized products remain in Customs custody pending the completion of investigations and possible prosecution of suspects linked to the smuggling operation.

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