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The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has reported the interception of an attempt to smuggle four 40-foot containers of illicit drugs valued at N1.18 billion into the country.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abubakar.
Abubakar explained that the seizures comprised 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and Barcadin Cough Syrup, packed in 2,174 cartons, from two terminals within the command.
“The command has thwarted an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs worth N1.18bn in four 40ft containers,” Abubakar stated.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Babatunde Olomu, described the seizures as a result of the service’s zero tolerance for smuggling.
Providing further details, Olomu said, “On the 11th of October 2024, our officers, during a joint examination of a 40ft container with registration number MRKU0377493, discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles. The illegal importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers had packed them in 174 cartons, with 200 bottles per carton.”
He added that on the same day, during another examination at the same terminal, a 40ft container with registration number TGBU8886020 was found to contain 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed with 100 bottles per carton.
According to him, another 40ft container with registration number TCKU6800526, which had been dropped at APMT Container Terminal and was declared to contain essential goods, was examined on Tuesday. After inspection, it was found to conceal 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for the throat and chest, containing codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
“At Kachicares Resources Terminal, a 40ft container with registration number SUDU8579006, declared to contain kitchen wares, was examined on Tuesday and found to conceal Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chest, with 100ml bottles,” Olomu added.
The Apapa CAC further stated that the drugs were packed in 1,584 cartons, along with an additional 83 loose bottles found in the container.
He emphasised that while the command is committed to seamless trade facilitation, powered by robust stakeholder engagement, it will not compromise on revenue collection or its anti-smuggling mandates as it facilitates trade.
Olomu warned those engaged in unlawful trade to steer clear of Apapa Port, stressing that officers, relying on intelligence, technology, and on-the-job experience, are determined to uncover all smuggling tactics.
He explained that codeine abuse has been found to cause nausea or vomiting, make addicts feel drowsy, impair concentration or clear thinking, and lead to irrational behaviour, including criminal tendencies.
The CAC has ordered further investigation into the seizures to gather more information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.
The Federal Government banned the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018, following its widespread abuse and the detrimental effects it had on many youths who became addicted to it.
These banned substances have been found to fuel criminal activities and deviant behaviours that could hinder societal progress.
