Customs: Cracking down on smuggling of subsidized foodstuffs to safeguard food security

The General Customs Administration confirmed its continued efforts to track down attempts to smuggle and export subsidized foodstuffs in violation of the laws and regulations governing them, as part of its initiatives to safeguard the country’s food security, preserve the strategic reserve of essential goods, and ensure that subsidized food items reach their rightful beneficiaries.

This statement followed the interception by inspectors from the General Customs Administration at Shuwaikh Port of six 40-foot containers destined for export to the Republic of Sri Lanka. Inspections revealed that the containers held quantities of subsidized foodstuffs.

An inventory of the containers’ contents led to the seizure of 211 cans of subsidized milk, 349 bags of subsidized flour, 435 bottles of Dalan cooking oil, 9 cans of subsidized Dalan vegetable ghee, 38 bags of subsidized lentils, 787 packs of subsidized pasta, 49 bags of subsidized rice, 35 bags of subsidized sugar, and 323 cans of subsidized tomato paste.

The seized containers belong to several shipping and export companies. They were intercepted while their export procedures were being finalized at Shuwaikh Port, before leaving the country. The General Customs Administration has taken the prescribed customs and legal measures regarding the containers and seized goods, and referred the case to the competent authorities to complete the necessary procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Administration reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying surveillance at all customs checkpoints and combating attempts to smuggle and export subsidized foodstuffs, while taking legal action against anyone proven to be involved in such incidents.