The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled a syndicate’s effort to import illicit drugs worth N1.183 billion into the country in four 40-foot containers via Apapa Port in Lagos.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abubakar, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, three of the containers were seized at the AP Moller Terminal, while 236,783 bottles of cough syrup packed in 2,174 cartons were seized at the Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Command, provided additional information about the seizures, describing them as the result of the service’s zero tolerance for smuggling.
Olomu said: “On the 11th of October 2024, our officers, during a joint examination of 1×40 container number MRKU0377493, found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles.
“The offensive importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.
“On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1×40 container TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.
“Another 1x40ft container NO TCKU6800526 dropped at APMT Container Terminal, said to contain essential goods, was examined on 15 October 2024, and after examination it was found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest, with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton.
“At Kachicares Resources Terminal, 1x40FT container NO SUDU8579006 said to contain kitchen wares was examined on October 15, 2024, and found to contain concealment of cough syrup for throat and chesty cough in 100 ml.
“They were packed in 1,584 cartons. Another set of 83 loose bottles was also found in the container.
“Like I have always said, Apapa Command is committed to seamless trade facilitation powered by robust stakeholder engagement but will not compromise on our revenue collection or anti-smuggling mandates as we facilitate trade.
“For the umpteenth time, I want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear from Apapa Port as our eagle-eyed officers relying on intelligence, technology, and on-the-job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics.”
The Customs Area Controller has directed further investigation into the seizures in order to elicit additional information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.
