The consignment was destined to a neighbouring country without the payment of custom duties.

Within the framework of ensuring that goods exported from Cameroon are not only monitored but must adhere to customs rules and regulations, over 10,000 bags of rice destined for export to a neighbouring country, have been impounded at the Idenau seaport in the West Coast. The operation to impound the rice was carried out over the weekend by the marine thanks to a convention signed by the Director General of Customs, the National Marine Corps with the support of the United States Embassy in Cameroon.

Customs officials at the scene informed the press that the over 10,000 bags of rice were impounded because the business persons involved in the exercise, were trying to smuggle the bags without paying custom duties. Papers presented by the business people and scrutinized, they said, mention only the quantity of goods, the number of people on board and the identity of the Captain of the boats. “It is against this backdrop that the bags of rice have been impounded given that the exportation is illegal,” a senior customs official said. He stressed that for the time being, the impounded rice will remain in safe state keeping until custom duties and other penalties are paid.