BY GODWIN OBI
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, have intercepted two containers loaded with thousands of cartons of codeine syrup valued at ₦3.398 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The illegal consignment was uncovered during a joint operation between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, disclosed that the seized items comprised 3,398 cartons containing 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup, concealed inside cartons of household utensils.
According to him, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted shipment stood at ₦3,398,000,000.
Sulaiman explained that Container No. MRKU 3816476 contained 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of codeine syrup hidden among 38 cartons of pearl-plated insulated casserole utensils, while Container No. TGBU 5399178 carried 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) concealed with 36 cartons of pearl-plated casserole items.
He added that the containers had been officially converted to seizure in line with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, described the interception as evidence of the command’s commitment to the directives and vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
“This fresh seizure, coming barely five days after the CGC’s visit and strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge on us,” Oshoba said.
“We remain fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers,” he added.
The controller commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for its collaboration and support in the successful interception of the illicit consignment.
Oshoba reaffirmed that the command remains committed to protecting public health, safeguarding national security, and facilitating only legitimate trade through the nation’s busiest seaport.
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