NDLEA Intercepts N9.8bn Worth Of Fresh Codeine Shipments From India

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted another batch of seven containers carrying over 1.2 million bottles of codeine, estimated to be worth more than N9.8 billion, at the Onne Ports in Rivers State.

The latest seizure on Thursday comes just three weeks after 6,125 cartons of the same syrup, each containing 1.05 bottles of the opioid worth approximately N7.4 billion in street value, were seized at the same port.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the latest seizure was the fourth and final set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in partnership with the agency’s Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies, including the Customs Service, for a 100 per cent joint examination of the targeted containers.

Babafemi stated that during the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers contained a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, including over 1.2 million bottles weighing 184,410 kilogrammes.

He stated that a breakdown of the shipments that arrived from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel reveals that the container marked SEKU 6439421 contains 875 cartons containing 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250 kilogrammes.

The container also contains 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets, for a total of 1,100 kilogrammes. Another container, CMAU 9410422, holds 875 cartons of codeine and 175,000 bottles weighing 26,250 kilogrammes.

The container also contains 15 cartons of chilli cutters and 60 cartons of Hyregra tablets, for a total weight of 1,200 kilogrammes. In addition, the TLLU 7595503 container contains 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup, for a total of 179,400 bottles weighing 26,910 kilogrammes.

He also stated that four additional containers labelled TRHU 515117, CMAU 7877125, CMAU 8533700, and CMAU 3882205 each contain 175,000 bottles of the same substance, as well as chilli cutters, Hyregra tablet cartons, and diclofenac used to conceal the shipments.

In response to the most recent seizure, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the diligence, vigilance, and professionalism of all officers, men and women, from the agency’s various formations who had been working on the targeted containers for months.

He also praised the assistance provided by other stakeholders at the ports, which allowed for smooth and successful operations while targeting shipments. He stated that the operation, which had resulted in significant losses for the cartels behind the shipments, had weakened their capacity and financial base.