The Apapa Ports Customs Command has seized four 40-foot containers carrying illegal substances worth N1.1 billion.
The illegal commodities, mostly cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin, were found during normal inspections at Apapa’s APM Terminals and Kachicares Bonded Terminal, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu revealed in a statement.
During normal checks at the APM Terminals and Kachicares Bonded Terminal, the operation found 236,783 bottles of cough syrup in 2,174 cartons, according to the Customs Command. APM Terminals accounted for three of the seizures, while Kachicares Bonded Terminal was the site of one.
Seizure Details
During a joint examination on October 11, 2024, officers found 34,800 bottles of CSP cough syrup organized in 174 cartons in container number MRKU0377493. There were 200 bottles in each carton.
“The offensive importation was also found to have expired,” Olomu said, stressing the dangers of such illegal activities.”
On the same day, a second container, TGBU8886020, was inspected at the same terminal. It was found to contain 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, each packed in 100 bottles per carton.”
”On 15 October 2024, the Customs Command intercepted a third container, TCKU6800526, initially declared to hold essential goods. After a thorough examination, officers discovered 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chesty cough with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.”
”At Kachicares Bonded Terminal, a 1×40-foot container labeled SUDU8579006, which was said to contain kitchen wares, was also examined on 15 October 2024. It was found to hold Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chesty cough.”
“They were packed in 1,584 cartons. Another set of 83 loose bottles was also found in the container,” Olomu added.
Zero Tolerance For Illicit Activities
Olomu reaffirmed that the seizures were the consequence of intelligence-driven operations and emphasized the Customs Command’s zero-tolerance policy for smuggling. “The command would not compromise on trade facilitation, anti-smuggling mandates, or revenue collection,” he said.
Officers at the Apapa Port are alert and ready to use information, technology, and expertise to find any kind of smuggling activity, Olomu stressed in his warning to smugglers.
He cautioned that those who engage in illegal trade should avoid Apapa Port because the vigilant authorities are trying to expose all of their smuggling schemes.
Potential Health Hazards of Codeine
Because codeine addiction has long been a major public health concern in Nigeria, the Federal Government banned its importation in 2018. According to Olomu, codeine has serious side effects that can cause illogical behavior, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
“Codeine abuse had been found to cause nausea or vomiting, making addicts feel sleepy, unable to concentrate or think clearly, and behave irrationally, including exhibition of criminal tendencies,” he stated.
Additionally, according to Olomu, these drugs fuel criminal activity and deviant conduct, which endanger the stability of society.
Comptroller Olomu indicated that additional investigations are being conducted in light of these noteworthy seizures in order to uncover additional information and maybe result in the arrest of individuals responsible for the unlawful imports.
