The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs worth N1.183 billion into the country.
The drugs, packed in four 40-foot containers, were seized at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
In a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Usman Abubakar, it was revealed that three of the containers were confiscated at the AP Moller Terminal. Another container, containing 236,783 bottles of cough syrup packed in 2,174 cartons, was seized at the Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, explained that the seizures were part of the NCS’s commitment to its zero tolerance for smuggling. He detailed the discoveries made during joint examinations of the containers.
“On the 11th of October 2024, our officers found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles, packed in 174 cartons, inside one container at AP Moller Terminal. The drugs were expired,” Olomu said. He further noted that on the same day, another container was discovered to contain 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup.
He added, “On 15 October 2024, during another examination, a container said to contain essential goods was found to hold 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup with codeine. The drugs were hidden inside the shipment.”
At the Kachicares Terminal, a fourth container was seized. It had been declared as containing kitchen wares but was found to hold cough syrup packed in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Olomu emphasized the command’s dedication to trade facilitation while maintaining strict measures to stop smuggling. “Apapa Command will not compromise on revenue collection or anti-smuggling mandates. Our officers, using intelligence and technology, will continue to uncover these illegal activities,” he warned.
The use of codeine cough syrup has been linked to serious health risks and criminal behavior. The Nigerian government banned its importation in 2018 due to widespread abuse, especially among youths.
Further investigations into the seizures are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the smuggling attempt.
