The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted another significant shipment of codeine-based cough syrup, worth over N9.8 billion, at the Onne ports. This follows the seizure of a similar batch just three weeks ago.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, announced on Friday that operatives had seized seven containers containing 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup. The street value of these bottles is estimated to be N9,835,200,000.
This recent seizure comes shortly after the NDLEA confiscated 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup, amounting to 1,050,000 bottles worth N7,350,000,000, at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Rivers State.
Babafemi stated that the latest haul, intercepted on Thursday, was the culmination of efforts by the NDLEA’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team. This team worked in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies, including the Customs Service, for a thorough examination of the containers.
The operation followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the shipments from their departure port. During the joint examination with other security agencies, the seven containers were found to hold a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, weighing 184,410 kilograms.
The shipments, originating from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel, were meticulously documented. One container marked SEKU 6439421 contained 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine, weighing 26,250kg, alongside 70 cartons of chili cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets. Another container, CMAU 9410422, also held 875 cartons of codeine with similar additional items. The container marked TLLU 7595503 contained 1,754 cartons with 179,400 bottles of codeine.
Four additional containers, marked TRHU 515117, CMAU 7877125, CMAU 8533700, and CMAU 3882205, each held 175,000 bottles of codeine, along with various other items such as chili cutters and hyregra tablets, used to disguise the shipments.
In response to this latest success, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the officers and staff involved for their diligence, vigilance, and professionalism. He also acknowledged the support from other stakeholders at the ports, which was crucial for the seamless and successful operation.
Marwa highlighted that this significant seizure had inflicted heavy financial losses on the drug cartels, further degrading their operational capacity and financial base.
