The Tanzania Food
and Drug Authority (TFDA) has impounded 15 tonnes of smuggled cosmetics
worth Sh400 million from a two-storeyed building in Kariakoo.
The
authority’s Eastern Zone manager, Mr Emmanuel Alphonce, said, “We
seized the cosmetics at plot 55 on Sabasaba Street in Kariakoo. The
merchandise had been brought into the country without a valid permit
from TFDA.”
Speaking
to The Citizen yesterday, Mr Alphonce said they inspected 10 storerooms
and eight people have been questioned in connection to the importation
of the beauty products.
He
added that the suspects would be sent to court soon after
investigations were complete. “The successful seizure of the impounded
goods was a result of a tip off from our confidants,” Mr Alphonce said.
Last
Friday four alleged owners of the storerooms were arrested while others
escaped before the stores were forcefully opened for inspection by the
police and TFDA officials.
The Citizen confirmed that the boxes with cosmetics were in five storerooms.
Bystanders
watching the drama unfold, Ms Esther Raphael and Mr Ayoub Ramadhan told
The Citizen that there has been lots of fake brands sold in the
commercial centre, adding:
“I would like to see the culprits jailed. We have seen how users, particularly women are affected by these cosmetics.”
