NDLEA intercepts ‘N9.8bn codeine syrup’ at Rivers port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted seven containers laden with 1,229,400 codeine syrups, worth over N9.83 billion, at the Onne port in Rivers state.

Weeks prior, the NDLEA seized 1,050,000 bottles of codeine worth over N7.3 billion in street value, at the same location.

In a statement on Friday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the seizure was made on Thursday.

He added that the consignment has been on the radar of the agency’s maritime special operations unit.

He said the unit worked in cahoots with the agency’s Port Harcourt ports command, customs, and other security agencies.

Babafemi said the interception followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking.

“At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all the 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,” the statement reads.

“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 in the container include 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100kg. 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 chilli cutters and 60 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg. Also, the container marked TLLU 7595503 has a total of 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup containing 179, 400 bottles weighing 26,910kg.

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