NDLEA Operatives seizes c0deine worth N9.8bn in Rivers state

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has seized seven containers bearing 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup worth over N9.8bn at Oone ports, Rivers state.

This occurred barely three weeks after the anti-narcotics agency seized 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles worth over N7.35 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne.

The latest seizure on Thursday, 18th of July, 2024is the fourth and last set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targetting Team, which worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the Agency and other security agencies including the Customs Service for a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.

This was disclosed by the director, media and advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Friday, 19th of July, 2024.

It reads:

“A breakdown of the shipments that came from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 has 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250kg. Other items in the container include 70 cartons of chilli cutters and 55 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,100kg.

“Another container marked CMAU 9410422 contains 875 cartons of codeine with 175,000 bottles weighing 26,250 kg. Other items in the container include 15 cartons of chilli cutters and 60 cartons of hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg. Also, the container marked TLLU 7595503 has a total of 1, 754 cartons of codeine syrup containing 179, 400 bottles weighing 26,910kg.

“Four other containers marked: TRHU 515117; CMAU 7877125; CMAU 8533700; and CMAU 3882205 contain 175,000 bottles of the same substance each in addition to other items such as chilli cutters, cartons of hyregra tablets and diclofenac used to mask the shipments.”

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and praised the support from stakeholders at the ports. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>