The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday, announced that its operatives had intercepted another significant shipment of codeine syrup at the Onne ports.
The latest seizure, which took place on Thursday, July 18, 2024, involved seven containers carrying a total of 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at over nine billion eight hundred and thirty-five million two hundred thousand Naira (N9,835,200,000.00).
Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi stated, “The latest seizure made on Thursday 18th July 2024 is the fourth and last set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the Agency and other security agencies.”
“The agencies included the Nigeria Customs Service for a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.
“This followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure.
“At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers were found bearing a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, with 1,229,400 bottles weighing 184,410 kilograms.
“A breakdown of the shipments that came from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 has 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250kg.
“Other items in the container include 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100 kg.
“Another container marked CMAU 9410422 contains 875 cartons of codeine with 175,000 bottles weighing 26,250 kg.
“Other items in the container include 15 cartons of chilli cutters and 60 cartons of Hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg.
“Also, the container marked TLLU 7595503 has a total of 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup, containing 179,400 bottles weighing 26,910kg.
“Four other containers marked: TRHU 515117; CMAU 7877125; CMAU 8533700; and CMAU 3882205 contain 175,000 bottles of the same substance each, in addition to other items such as chilli cutters, cartons of Hyregra tablets, and diclofenac used to mask the shipments.
Three weeks ago, NDLEA operatives intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup, totaling 1,050,000 bottles valued at over ₦7.35 billion, at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne, Rivers State.
Reacting to the latest seizure, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s officers for their diligence and professionalism.
He also commended the support from port stakeholders, noting that the operation has significantly disrupted the financial base and operations of the cartels involved.
