Steer Clear Of Apapa Port, Customs Warns Smugglers, Intercepts N1.1bn Drugs

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Apapa port Command, has announced the interception of illicit drugs with a street value of over N1.183 billion

According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Usman Abubakar, CSC, Tuesday night, October 15, 2024, the seized hard substances were shipped into the country in four units of 40ft Containers.

Comptroller of the NCS Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, while giving a breakdown of the seizure noted that it was a direct consequence of due diligence, vigilance and zero tolerance for smuggling activities at the port .

Breakdown of the seizures shows that there were 236 ,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin cough syrup in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the Command, according to Comptroller Olomu.

He stated that three of the interceptions were effected at the APM Terminals, while one was made at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

“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 1x40ft container TGBU8886020, was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.

“Another 1x40th container No TCKU6800526,dropped at APMT Container Terminal, said to contain Essential goods was examined on October 15, 2024, and after examination was found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chesty 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 Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chesty cough in 100ml .They were packed in 1,584 cartons ” Olomu stated.

The Apapa port Comptroller, warned that much as the Command is irrevocably committed to seamless trade facilitations powered  by a robust stakeholders engagement, it will, however, not condone any acts capable of undermining the economic and national interests of Nigeria.

“For the umpteenth time, I want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear of Apapa Port as our eagle eye officers relying on intelligence, technology and on-the-job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics” Comptroller Olomu said .

According to the Comptroller, these banned hard substances have been found to spur criminal activities and deviant behaviours which in turn set society backwards.