APAPA PORT COMMAND INTERCEPTS N1.1 BILLION WORTH OF ILLICIT DRUGS
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Port Command, has made a massive bust, intercepting an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs worth a staggering N1,183,915,500 into the country. These illicit drugs were hidden in 4 units of 40ft containers. These haul of illicit drugs contained 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin cough syrup packed in a total of 2,174 cartons intercepted at APM Terminals and Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, has revealed that the recent seizures are a direct result of the service’s zero-tolerance policy for smuggling. On October 11, 2024, officers discovered 34,800 bottles of prohibited CSP cough syrup packed in 174 cartons during a joint examination of a 40-foot container with the number MRKU0377493. What’s even more alarming is that these syrups had expired, posing a significant health risk to consumers.
“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1×40 container TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.
In another recent significant seizure, officers at the Apapa Port Command discovered a concealed shipment of illicit cough syrup in a 40-foot container, with container Number: CKU6800526, at APMT Container Terminal. It was declared as essential goods but the actual contents were 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup with codeine (100ml each) and 200 bottles per carton.
“At Kachicares Resources Terminal,1X40FT container NO SUDU8579006 said to contain kitchen wares was examined on October 15, 2024 and 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 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 want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear from Apapa Port as our eagle eye officers relying on intelligence, technology and on the job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics” the controller said.
Codeine abuse can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences, including, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness or excessive sleepiness, constipation, headaches, weakness or fatigue. Psychological and behavioral effects, impaired concentration and cognitive function, irrational behavior and decision-making, increased risk of criminal tendencies, mood swings and emotional instability, dependence and addiction.
In 2018, the federal government took decisive action against codeine abuse by banning the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups. This bold move aimed to curb the alarming rate of addiction among youths and mitigate its harmful consequences.
The Area Controller has directed further investigation into the seizures to unravel further details that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.
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