The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has again, frustrated an attempt at smuggling illicit drugs worth N1.183 billion into the country in four units of 40ft containers.
In a statement made available to journalists, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Apapa Area Command, CSC Usman Abubakar, a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) gave details of the seizures shows to include 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and Barcadin cough syrup in 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command.
He said three of the seizures were made in APM Terminals, while one was made at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Giving further details on the seizures, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, described it as the fallout of the Service’s zero tolerance for smuggling.
Olomu said: “On October 11, 2024, our officers during a joint examination of a 40ft container marked: MRKU0377493 found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles. The offensive importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.
“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 40ft container with Number: TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.”
Another 40ft container marked: TCKU6800526 dropped at APMT Container Terminal, said to contain Essential goods was examined on October 15, 2024 and after examination it was found to contain 19 concealed cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chesty with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton
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“At Kachicares Resources Terminal, a 40ft container marked: SUDU8579006 said to contain kitchen wares was examined on October 15, 2024 and found to contain concealed 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.
“As I have always said, Apapa Command is committed to seamless trade facilitation powered by robust stakeholders engagement but will not compromise on our revenue collection, anti smuggling mandates as we facilitate trade.
“For the umpteenth time, I warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear from Apapa Port as our officers relying on intelligence, technology and on the job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics,” Olomu stated.
He lamented that Codeine abuse has been found to cause nausea or vomiting, making addicts feel sleepy, unable to concentrate or think clearly and behave irrationally, including exhibition of criminal tendencies.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government banned the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018 following its abuse and the adverse effects it caused on many youth who got addicted to it.
These banned substances have been found to spur criminal activities and deviant behaviors capable of setting society backward.
Following the seizures, Olomu directed further investigation into the seizures to unravel further details that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.
