NDLEA seize N9.8bn shipment of codeine cough syrup at Onne Port

Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency has scored a major victory in the fight against prescription drug abuse.
In a major operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted seven containers containing over 1.2 million bottles of codeine cough syrup with a street value of N9.8 billion.
The seizure took place on Thursday, July 18th, 2024, at the Onne Ports in Rivers State. According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the containers originated from India and arrived on the Maersk Vigo Vessel. All seven containers were found to be carrying a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, weighing over 184,000 kilograms.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, said, “The latest seizure made on Thursday 18th July 2024 is the fourth and last set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the Agency and other security agencies.
“The agencies included the Nigeria Customs Service for a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.
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“This followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure.
“At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers were found bearing a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, with 1,229,400 bottles weighing 184,410 kilograms.
“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 1,100 kg.”
This is the second major seizure of codeine cough syrup at the Onne Ports in recent weeks. Just three weeks prior, NDLEA intercepted another shipment containing 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup, valued at N7.4 billion.
The surge in codeine interceptions raises concerns about a potential rise in prescription drug abuse in Nigeria. Codeine, an opioid pain medication, can be highly addictive when misused.
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