Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a new batch of seven containers carrying 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at ₦9.8 billion, at the Onne ports.
This seizure comes just three weeks after they confiscated 6,125 cartons of the same product, containing 1,050,000 bottles with a street value of ₦7.35 billion, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State.
The latest seizure, made on Thursday, July 18, 2024, is the fourth and final set of such consignments under the surveillance of the agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team. This operation was conducted in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the NDLEA and other security agencies, including the Customs Service, to ensure a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday, stated that this accomplishment was the result of credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure.
It said, “At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers were found bearing a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup with 1, 229, 400 bottles weighing 184,410 kilograms.
“A breakdown of the shipments that came from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 has 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250kg.”
Other items found in the container include 70 cartons of chili cutters and 55 cartons of Hyregra tablets, totaling 1,100 kg.
Another container, marked CMAU 9410422, holds 875 cartons of codeine with 175,000 bottles, weighing 26,250 kg. This container also contains 15 cartons of chili cutters and 60 cartons of Hyregra tablets, weighing 1,200 kg.
Additionally, the container labeled TLLU 7595503 contains 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup, with 179,400 bottles, weighing 26,910 kg.
Four other containers, marked TRHU 515117, CMAU 7877125, CMAU 8533700, and CMAU 3882205, each hold 175,000 bottles of codeine syrup, along with other items such as chili cutters, cartons of Hyregra tablets, and diclofenac, used to conceal the shipments.
In response to the latest seizure, Brigadier General (Rtd) Mohamed Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, commended the officers and personnel from various agency units who had been working diligently on the targeted containers for months. He praised their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication.
Marwa also acknowledged the crucial support from other stakeholders at the ports, which facilitated the smooth and successful execution of the operation.
He noted that the operation had significantly impacted the cartels responsible for the shipments, causing substantial financial losses and further diminishing their operational capabilities.
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