The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, don intercept four 40-foot containers filled with illicit drugs wey dey worth N1.18 billion. Dis interception happen between October 11 and 15, 2024, during routine inspections at two terminals within the command.
According to Usman Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer, the seizures include 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine, packed in 2,174 cartons. The smuggled drugs were hidden inside containers with different registration numbers.
Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa, explain say on October 11, during a joint examination of one 40ft container with registration number MRKU0377493, dem discover 34,800 bottles of expired CSP cough syrup, packed in 174 cartons. Another container with registration number TGBU8886020 contain 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup.
At APMT Container Terminal, dem find another 40ft container with registration number TCKU6800526, wey dem declare to contain essential goods, but instead, it conceal 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest, containing codeine. And at Kachicares Resources Terminal, dem intercept Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chest, packed in 1,584 cartons and 83 loose bottles.
Olomu warn smugglers to steer clear of Apapa Port, saying their officers dey equipped with intelligence, technology, and experience to uncover all smuggling attempts. He also emphasize say the command dey committed to seamless trade facilitation but no go compromise on revenue collection or anti-smuggling mandates.
The Federal Government ban the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018 due to its widespread abuse and detrimental effects on many youths. The seized drugs dey under further investigation, and the customs service aim to apprehend those behind the smuggling attempt.
