Two people have been arrested in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State over the alleged importation of a truckload of suspected fake animal hide, popularly called ponmo.

The two persons were accompanying the truck when it was seized.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol, who confirmed the incident while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, said the import papers showed that the seized products came into the country from Madagascar.

Kpakol said the containerized truck, which conveyed the product, came through the Onne Port, adding that it was seized and taken to the police area command in Eleme for further investigation, PUNCH reports.

The commissioner explained that the arrest followed a tip-off and the ministry quickly swung into action with the help of the police, adding that the state police command would conduct a full-scale investigation into the incident.

Kpakol stated,

“We got a tip-off that some canda meat that was imported found its way into the state. We went in and found out that it had come in from the Onne Port.

“It’s was a container full of canda meat. We were able to intercept it and took it to the area command. When it was opened, it was discovered that it was adulterated and stinking.

“From the import paper, we found out that it came in from Madagascar.”

Meanwhile, the Area Police Command said it had begun an investigation into the incident.

The Police Area Commander, Martins Nwogu, stated that those arrested with the truck claimed that the consignment was owned by a man simply known as Alhaji and contained raw materials for making shoes and bags.

When contacted, the police spokesman for the state, Nnamdi Omoni, said the command had yet to get the report but promised to contact the Eleme Area Command and get back to our correspondent.