Nigeria Customs in Imo state has destroyed 4,118 cartons of illegally imported frozen poultry, with duty paid value of N83,389,500.
The operation was carried out on Wednesday by the Federal Operations Unit Zone C in Owerri.
Comptroller Amajam Bukar said the seizure of the poultry, which was transported in a 1X40ft container, was achieved through a tip-off from an informant to operatives of the Customs.
Bukar said security agencies such as the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Police assisted it in seizing the illegal poultry.
The customs official stressed that frozen poultry products is illegal and called on the public not to patronise such products which he said are harmful to human health.
He also called on intending frozen poultry importers to desist and instead channel their resources to legal imports which will be of benefit to the nation and to avoid loss.
On hand to witness the destruction were representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Department of State Security, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), amongst others.