The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs worth N1.183 billion into the country through the Apapa Port in Lagos. The seizure included four 40-foot containers containing prohibited cough syrup with codeine.
Key Points:
- Seizure Details: Three containers were seized at AP Moller Terminal, while the fourth was seized at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
- Contents: The containers held 236,783 bottles of cough syrup packed in 2,174 cartons.
- Smuggling Attempt: The smugglers concealed the illicit drugs in containers declared to contain essential goods and kitchen wares.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, attributed the seizure to the service’s zero-tolerance policy for smuggling. The federal government banned codeine cough syrup importation in 2018 due to its adverse effects on youths.
Consequences of Codeine Abuse:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Inability to concentrate or think clearly
- Irrational behavior
- Criminal tendencies
The NCS has directed further investigation to uncover details leading to the arrest of those involved. This seizure demonstrates the agency’s commitment to anti-smuggling efforts and revenue collection.
Similar anti-smuggling efforts have been reported by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), including the arrest of a Thailand returnee with N3.1 billion worth of heroin at Lagos airport .
