NDLEA Intercepts Codeine Worth N2 Billion At Lagos Port
By Bukar Bolori
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have again intercepted 40,250 kilogrammes of the Schedule II controlled narcotic worth over N2 billion imported in two 40ft containers from India.
This latest interception is barely a week after 14,080 kilogrammes of codeine based syrup and 4,352.4 kilogrammes cold caps used to conceal the former in a 40ft container imported from India were seized at the Apapa seaport, Lagos and,
According to the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi said the latest consignments intercepted on Tuesday were brought into the country in two containers marked HLBU 2239792 with 1,125 cartons of the drug and HLBU 1067338 with 1,751 cartons, with a market value of N2,012,500,000.
He disclosed that the consignments were seized at the Port Express Bonded Terminal, Berger-Apapa after they were discovered concealed behind cartons of hypergra 200 milligrammes and deluxe chilly cutters, after which the agency’s sniffer dogs were brought in to identify the illegal substance.
Reacting to the latest seizure, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) said the agency remains poised to deal decisive blows to drug cartels this year by ensuring that no gramme of illicit drug is allowed to come into or pass through Nigeria to other countries.
Meanwhile, he commended the officers and men of the Apapa Port Special Area Command of the agency for their vigilance, and expressed gratitude to foreign partners for sharing timely intelligence and other port stakeholders for their cooperation.
