From: Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Kebbi State has impounded a truck-loaded with 560 bags of sugar allegedly smuggled from Brazil through the state;s borders with Niger Republic.
The seized products, 50kg each, were branded as White Crystal Sugar Nardini Agroindustrial LTDA Industrial Brazillaira, sold at N15,000 per bag.
The Daily Sun gathered that another set of 55 and half bags of the products were seized by the SON during shop-to-shop search at the Birnin-Kebbi central market, making a total 610 and half bags of smuggled sugar seized within three days of its operations in the state.
The illegal importation of the products violated SON Act 2015, Part VII ,number 26(1-2) which recommended not less than three years imprisonment and fine of N2 million or both.
Kebbi State Director of SON. Mr. Jibril Mohammed, who confirmed the seizure of the products, on Monday, disclosed that the products lacked vitamin ‘A’ which is a variance with Federal Government’s directive that all food items must contain Vitamin ‘A’.
According to Mohammed, ” We have been directed by Director General of SON to impounds any sugar imported to the country without permission of the agency. These items was smuggled into the country. We mounted our intelligent,markets surveillance and other technics available to us to track down the truck.
“So far, the owner of the truck has been arrested ,he is already with the police. Investigation still on going. This impounded truck has 550 bags of imported sugar and during our shops to shops searching in the market, we seized 50 and half illegal imported bags of sugar in the market .”
Mohammed explained that the owners of shops where bags of imported sugar were found have signed documents with the agency stressed that “whenever we need them,they would be made available.”
He advised the public to buy correct products in the market, stressing that they must be conscious of commodities without SON approval and expiry dates.