Customs, NDLEA intercept 3,398 cartons of codeine syrup in Lagos

By Aisha Cole

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has seized 3,398 cartons of codeine syrup worth N3.39 billion.

According to Mr Isa Sulaiman, its Public Relations Officer, the feat was achieved in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Sulaiman, in a statement on Tuesday, quoted Mr Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller, as saying that the interception took place “in a swift follow-up operation on Sunday, March 15, 2026”.

“The consignment was in 3,398 cartons carefully concealed in household utensils; it had a duty value of N3.39 billion,” Oshoba further explained.

Oshoba was further quoted as declaring that the seizure “serves as a clear demonstration of the command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the NCS”.

“This seizure comes just five days after Mr Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the NCS, visited the Apapa Command and sent a strong warning to criminal elements,” he noted.

Oshoba said that the Area Command was “fully aligned with the NCS intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers”.

He commended the NDLEA for its seamless collaboration and unwavering support that made the operation successful.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Adeniyi, the NCS boss, recently visited the Apapa Port and declared that it was no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates.

(NAN)