Major Drug Bust: Authorities seize ₦3.39bn codeine in Lagos port operation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized a large shipment of codeine syrup worth ₦3.39 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.

According to the Apapa Command, officers discovered 3,398 cartons of the drug hidden inside household items. The seizure was announced by the command’s spokesperson, Isa Sulaiman, who quoted the Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba.

Oshoba said the drugs were intercepted on Sunday, March 15, during a follow-up operation. This happened just days after the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, visited the port and warned smugglers to stay away.

He explained that the operation was based on intelligence and carried out with support from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Customs said the seizure shows their strong effort to stop illegal drugs from entering the country. Oshoba added that Apapa Port will no longer be a safe place for smugglers and drug traffickers.

This case comes shortly after Customs also seized 13 containers filled with expired drugs, food items, and restricted goods worth ₦6.38 billion at the same port. Some of those items included hidden codeine syrup and other harmful drugs.

Authorities say they are increasing efforts to fight drug smuggling across Nigeria. Recently, the NDLEA arrested a suspected drug kingpin, and other operations have led to the seizure of tramadol and codeine worth billions of naira in different parts of the country.