In a significant battle against drug peddling and trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a massive shipment of codeine worth over N9.8 billion at the Onne Port in Rivers State. This operation took place three weeks after a similar seizure at the same port.
According to a statement issued to the press by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, operatives in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies including Customs, conducted a 100% joint examination of seven containers flagged by the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team. This effort was the zenith of months of tracking the consignments from their port of departure in India.
During the examination, officials discovered 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, totaling 1,229,400 bottles and weighing 184,410 kilograms. The containers arrived via the Maersk Vigo Vessel and were marked as follows:
SEKU 6439421: 875 cartons containing 175,000 bottles of codeine, weighing 26,250 kg, along with 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100 kg.
CMAU 9410422: 875 cartons containing 175,000 bottles of codeine, weighing 26,250 kg, along with 15 cartons of chilli cutters and 60 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg.
TLLU 7595503: 1,754 cartons containing 179,400 bottles of codeine, weighing 26,910 kg.
TRHU 515117, CMAU 7877125, CMAU 8533700, and CMAU 3882205: Each container held 175,000 bottles of codeine, along with various other items including chilli cutters, hyregra tablets, and diclofenac, used to disguise the shipments.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers and collaborating stakeholders for their vigilance and professionalism, which were instrumental in the success of this operation. Marwa stated that this seizure has significantly weakened the financial and operational capabilities of the drug cartels involved.
This operation marks the fourth and final interception of such consignments under the watchlist of the Agency, signaling a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Nigeria
