NDLEA seizes N9.8 billion worth of codeine consignments from India

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted seven containers containing 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup worth over N9,835,200 billion at Onne Port in Rivers.

This was stated in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi said the seizure came barely three weeks after officers intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid worth over N7.3 billion at retail, at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers.

He said the latest seizure on Thursday, July 18, was the fourth and final set of such shipments to be placed under surveillance by the agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit’s Targeting Team.

He added that the team worked in collaboration with the agency’s Port Harcourt Port Command and other security agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

This, he said, was aimed at a joint examination of 100 percent of the targeted containers, adding that this was done based on reliable information and months of careful monitoring of shipments from the port of departure.

“During the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, July 18, all seven containers were found to contain a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup containing 1,229,400 bottles, weighing 184,410 kilograms.

“A breakdown of shipments from India via the Maersk Vigo vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 contains 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250 kg.

“Other items in the container include 70 cartons of pepper cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100 kg. Another container marked CMAU 9410422 contains 875 cartons of codeine with 175,000 bottles weighing 26,250 kg.

“Other items in the container include 15 cartons of pepper cutters and 60 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg. In addition, the container marked TLLU 7595503 has a total of 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup containing 179,400 bottles weighing 26,910 kg.

“Four other containers marked: TRHU 515117; CMAU 7877125; CMAU 8533700; and CMAU 3882205 contain 175,000 bottles of the same substance each, as well as other items such as pepper cutters, cartons of hyregra tablets and diclofenac used to disguise the shipments.”

In his response to the latest seizure, retired NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa commended all personnel who worked on the targeted containers for months for their diligence, vigilance and professionalism.

Marwa equally praised the support received from other stakeholders at the ports, which enabled the smooth and successful conduct of the shipment routing operations.

He said the operation, which caused huge losses to the cartels behind the shipments, further undermined their capacity and financial base.

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