Nigerian Customs intercepts N18 million worth of illicit drugs at Mfum Border in Cross River

This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller for Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Chukwudi Ogbonna, during a press briefing held in Calabar.

According to Comptroller Ogbonna, the seizure took place on March 29, involving a total of 649 units of controlled pharmaceutical substances.

He listed the confiscated drugs as:

Ogbonna highlighted the dangers of unauthorized movement of controlled substances, emphasizing their risk to public health and national security.

“These are highly regulated substances, and their movement without proper authorisation poses a serious risk to public health and national security,” Ogbonna stated.

He attributed the successful operation to the vigilance and dedication of Customs officers stationed at the border post.

In line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogbonna said the drugs would be officially handed over to the NDLEA Cross River State Command.

“Today’s event is a testament to the power of teamwork. By leveraging each other’s strengths, we can better serve and protect our country,” he said.

“Teamwork among agencies like ours is crucial. This handover is a clear example of how cooperation leads to success,” Umebuali noted.

She added that the NDLEA would commence investigations to trace the source and intended destination of the intercepted drugs.

Naijaonpoint reported that the Apapa Ports Customs Command intercepted illicit drugs worth N1.1 billion, concealed in four 40-foot containers. The seizure, made during routine inspections at Apapa’s APM Terminals and Kachicares Bonded Terminal, primarily involved cough syrup containing codeine and barkadin.

On October 15, 2024, a third container, TCKU6800526, which had been declared to contain essential goods, was found to hold 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup. That same day, another container at Kachicares Bonded Terminal, SUDU8579006, was discovered to contain Barcadin cough syrup, concealed among kitchen wares. The syrup was packed in 1,584 cartons, with an additional 83 loose bottles found.