Customs intercepts 299 cartons of codeine syrup on Lagos-Ibadan road

Acting Controller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the interception was a demonstration of the service’s commitment to curb the menace of drug trafficking.

He said the truck was intercepted near Ijebu-Ode Junction, last week but officers attached to the Federal Operating Unit, FOU, Zone A, who acted on credible intelligence.

“An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth. The misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges.

“In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. This underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and well-being. On our part we will continue to partner with the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians.

“The codeine syrup, which is reportedly being abused by mostly young persons in society, is associated with addiction and, in the long-term, results in anxiety, depression, memory loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain.

“It is pertinent to note that the damaging effects of drugs have led to preventable deaths for consumers taking them outside doctors’ prescriptions,” he said.

Adeniyi, while addressing newsmen in Lagos, said his officers and men in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States also swooped on smugglers of rice and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), who have continued to test the agency’s will to put them out of business.

“Smuggling of rice compromises our revenue and sabotages our food security. Despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on our economy, smugglers still attempt to smuggle PMS across the border.

“They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS. The following seizures of both items were recorded. A total of 4, 252 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) at Dangote Imashayi, Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 axis in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. “Similarly, 5600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to take out these strategic resources through the Oja-Odan axis in Ogun State.

According to him, other items seized in the last two weeks included 291 bales of second-hand clothing, 57 sacks and four jumbo sacks of used shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 pieces of rugs, five vehicles and 170 pieces of used tyres

These seizures, Adeniyi said, were fallout of the uncompromising position of his personnel to strictly enforce the law and protect the lives of the people.

“The 340 pieces of used tyres seized within the first two weeks of August 2023 by this unit is not only limited to the implementation of imports prohibition lists but also a giant stride to mitigate auto crashes caused by smuggled used tyres

“These tyres are squeezed, compressed and tucked into themselves for ease of concealment, thereby causing them to crack. They are oftentimes expired, their rigidity and strength compromised.

“Drivers could experience a blowout or sudden rupture as the steel wire meant to keep the tyres in shape has been disorganised in the course of smuggling.”

In Kebbi State, the NCS command said it seized 4,200 litres of PMS, 46 bags of foreign rice, 88 bales of second-hand clothes and other smuggled items.

The command also handed over 81 tablets of Cannabis sativa, 138 packs of tramadol to the NDLEA in the state, Controller, Ben Oramalugo, said yesterday.

According to him, the items were seized during routine operations at various borders along the state.

He noted that though the closure of Kamba and other borders close to Niger Republic had affected the revenue drive of the Customs, the duty paid value of the seized items was estimated at N51.4m.