General News of Friday, 13 July 2001

Source: GNA

Unwholesome turkey tails destroyed

The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on Thursday destroyed five bags of unwholesome turkey tails at the Mallam Filling Site in Accra.

The turkey tails imported into the country, valued at about ten million cedis and weighed 740 kilograms. The anti-smuggling combat team of CEPS intercepted them three days ago on the Aflao road.

Briefing newsmen, Mr Robert Ralph Hugh Tagoe, Principal Collector at the Preventive Unit of CEPS, said laboratory tests conducted on the turkey tails revealed that their excessive fat content made them unfit for human consumption.

He said before importing consumable goods, clearance must be sought from the Food and Drugs Board. In this case, the importers failed to do that.

Mr Tagoe said the operation forms part of a routine exercise by CEPS to discourage people from importing consumable goods without seeking clearance from the appropriate authorities.