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.”
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