Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, have intercepted two containers loaded with codeine-based syrup valued at N3.398 billion at the Apapa Port.
The seizure was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in what officials described as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb the trafficking of illicit substances.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, the intercepted cargo comprised 3,398 cartons containing a total of 339,800 bottles of codeine syrup.
The items were concealed inside shipments of household goods, including insulated casseroles, in a bid to evade detection.
He disclosed that one of the containers held 1,700 cartons of the substance hidden among kitchenware items, while the second contained 1,698 cartons similarly disguised.
The combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items was put at N3.398 billion.
Sulaiman confirmed that both containers had been officially seized in line with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Speaking on the operation, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, said the interception underscores the agency’s commitment to enforcing regulations and combating drug smuggling.
He noted that the operation aligned with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, emphasising intelligence-driven enforcement and stricter surveillance at ports.
“This seizure reflects our determination to make Apapa Port a hostile environment for smugglers and traffickers,” Oshoba stated, adding that the success followed recent warnings issued to criminal networks.
He commended the NDLEA for its effective collaboration, describing the partnership as crucial in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the country.
Oshoba reiterated that the command remains focused on safeguarding public health and national security, while ensuring that only legitimate trade activities are facilitated through the nation’s ports.
He said investigations were ongoing to identify those behind the shipment, as efforts intensify to dismantle networks involved in the illicit drug trade.
