In a significant operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a shipment of illegal drugs valued at over N46.4 billion at Onne Port in Rivers State. On November 11, 2024, the Area 2 Command successfully seized 22 containers filled with banned substances, marking a critical step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.
The confiscated shipment included 2,624,053 bottles of Codeine cough syrup, 7,530,000 tablets of Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048,900 tablets of Tapentadol/Tramadol/Tamolx, 7,665,000 tablets of counterfeit gonorrhea antibiotics, 15,600,000 tablets of fake Chlorphenamine, and 33,840,000 tablets of fake Lemotil (Loperamide). In addition to the drugs, officials uncovered a container filled with donkey skin, which is also regulated due to its use in traditional medicine.
The traffickers had hidden these substances within sanitary wares and plumbing materials in an attempt to evade detection. This significant bust underscores the extensive scale of the smuggling operation and the lengths traffickers go to avoid detection.
The operation’s success was due to the collaborative efforts of several agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, who leads the Area 2 Command, praised the inter-agency cooperation and credited the state of emergency declared by Controller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi for enhancing container scrutiny.
During a media briefing at Onne Port, Babandede emphasized the NCS’s commitment to public safety and its relentless fight against drug trafficking. “These seizures highlight our steadfast commitment to eradicating illicit drugs and ensuring public safety… The state of emergency has proven instrumental in boosting our operational capabilities,” he stated.
In addition to its anti-smuggling achievements, the Area 2 Command has excelled in revenue generation, reporting over N550 billion in collections this year, approximately 89% of its annual target of N618 billion. This significant drug bust underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and safeguard public health.
