The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted another massive shipment of codeine syrup from India, valued at N9.8 billion.
According to a statement signed by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Friday in Abuja, seven containers holding 1,229,400 bottles of the opioid-based syrup were discovered at the Onne Ports in Rivers State on Thursday, July 18.
This bust comes just three weeks after the drug enforcement agency seized 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup worth over N7.3 billion at the same port.
The containers in the latest interception held a total of 8,774 cartons, weighing 184,410 kilograms. The shipments were traced and monitored by the NDLEA’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies, including Customs.
Detailed inspections revealed the containers held various amounts of codeine syrup, along with items such as chilli cutters and hyregra tablets, which were used to disguise the illicit shipments. For example, one container marked SEKU 6439421 contained 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine, weighing 26,250kg, along with 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers involved for their dedication and professionalism, and also acknowledged the support from port stakeholders.
He stated that the operation inflicted significant financial losses on the drug cartels and weakened their operations.