Apapa Customs Command Intercepts Dangerous Drugs Worth #1.1 Billion

Apapa Customs Command Intercepts Dangerous Drugs Worth #1.1 Billion.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit drugs worth a total of #1,183,915,500 in a 4 units of 40ft containers.

Breakdown of the seizures indicates that they were 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin cough syrup packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command. Three of the seizures were made in A PM Terminals and one was made at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, described the seizures as a fallout of the Service zero tolerance for smuggling.

He said, “On the 11th of October 2024, our officers during a joint examination of 1×40 container with number MRKU0377493 found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles. The offensive importation was also found to have expired. Th e smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.

“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1x40ft container with number TGBU8886020 was found to be laden 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.

Another 1x40ft container NO TCKU6800526 dropped at the APMT Container Terminal, said to contain essential goods was examined on the 15th October 2024, and after examination, it was found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chesty with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton.
“At Kachicares Resources Terminal, 1x40ft container with number SUDU8579006 said to contain kitchen wares was examined on the 15 October, 2024 and also found to contain concealment of Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chesty cough in 100ml. They were packed in 1,584 cartons. Another set of 83 loose bottles was also found in the container.

“Like I have always said, Apapa Customs Command is committed to seamless trade facilitation powered by robust stakeholders engagement but will not compromise on our revenue generation, Anti-smuggling mandates as we facilitate trade.

“For the Umpteenth time, I want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear of Apapa Port as our eagle eye officers relying on intelligence, technology and on the job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics,” Olomu said.

Codeine abuse has been found to cause buses or vomiting, making addicts feel sleepy, unable to concentrate or think clearly and behave irrationally, including exhibition of criminal tendencies.

The Federal government banned the importation of codeine cough in 2018 following its abuse and the adverse effects it caused on many youths who got addicted to it.

Comptroller Olomu has directed further investigation into the seizures to unravel more details that could led to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.