The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control has closed down a warehouse in Rivers that was distributing illegally imported tomato paste.
The managing director of the company, Integrated Wholesales Services Limited, has been arrested for importing and distributing contraband tomato paste.
He also allegedly removed the seal that the agency had placed on his facility in November 2022.
The agency will investigate and prosecute him, and is warning other importers of contraband goods to stop or face consequences.
“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,” he explained.