The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Port Command, has seized 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin cough syrup, packed in 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command.
Newsconnect reports that Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, described the seizure as a testament to the service’s zero-tolerance policy for smuggling.
In his words, he said;
“On October 11, 2024, our officers found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles, which had expired, packed in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton,” Olomu said.
The seizures were made in two terminals: APM Terminals and Kachicares Bonded Terminal. At APM Terminals, two containers, MRKU0377493 and TGBU8886020, were found to contain 74,500 bottles of cough syrup.
Another container, TCKU6800526, was seized at the same terminal, containing 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup. At Kachicares Resources Terminal, a container, SUDU8579006, was found to contain 1,584 cartons and 83 loose bottles of Barcadin cough syrup.
Olomu warned perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear of Apapa Port, stating, “Our eagle eye officers, relying on intelligence, technology, and on-the-job experience, are out to uncover all their smuggling antics.”
The federal government banned the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018 due to its abuse and adverse effects on youth.
Codeine abuse can cause nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, inability to concentrate, and irrational behavior, including criminal tendencies.
The Area Controller has directed further investigation into the seizures to unravel details leading to the arrest of the suspects involved