By Aisha Cole
In its ongoing efforts to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into Nigeria, the Apapa Ports Customs Command has seized illicit drugs worth N1.1 billion, concealed in four 40ft containers.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu, made this known in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Usman Abubakar, on Wednesday in Lagos.
Olomu revealed that the seized items included 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and Barcadin cough syrup, packed in 2,174 cartons.
Three of the seizures were made at APM Terminals, while the fourth was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Describing the operation as part of the Customs Service’s zero-tolerance policy towards smuggling, Olomu provided details of the confiscations: “On October 11, 2024, during a joint examination of a 40ft container with number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered 34,800 bottles of prohibited CSP cough syrup. These expired bottles, packed in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton, were smuggled into the country.”
He added that another examination on the same day at the same terminal uncovered a 40ft container (TGBU8886020) carrying 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in 100 bottles per carton.
Further inspections conducted on October 15, 2024, led to the discovery of a 40ft container (TCKU6800526), which had been declared as essential goods.
Upon examination, it was found to be concealing 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup, containing codeine in 100ml bottles.
At Kachicares Resources Terminal, another 40ft container (SUDU8579006), falsely declared as containing kitchen wares, was found to hold 1,584 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup.
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In addition, 83 loose bottles were also found concealed within the container.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to seamless trade facilitation and robust stakeholder engagement, Olomu emphasized that the Apapa Command would maintain its strict enforcement of revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations.
He warned those engaged in unlawful trade to stay away from Apapa Port, stating that the officers, equipped with intelligence, technology, and years of experience, would continue to expose all smuggling attempts.
Highlighting the dangers of codeine abuse, Olomu noted that the substance had been linked to nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, impaired cognitive function, and irrational behavior, including criminal tendencies.
He also reminded the public that the Federal Government had banned the importation of codeine-based cough syrup in 2018 due to its widespread abuse and detrimental effects on young Nigerians.
The comptroller disclosed that further investigations into the seizures were ongoing, with the goal of identifying and apprehending those responsible for the illegal importation of the banned substances.
