From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Two hundred and ninety-nine cartons of codeine syrup, 170 pieces of used tyres and other contrabands worth over N100 million have been intercepted by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The other seizures included 4,252 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice at the Okoko-Mile 2 axis of Lagos State, Dangote/Imashayi, Owode/Ado-Odo and Idiroko/Ohumbe axis of Ogun State; Saki axis of Oyo State, and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
There were also 5,600 litres of petrol, 291 bales of second-hand clothing, 57 sacks and four jumbo sacks of used shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 pieces of rugs, five units of vehicles – all within the past two weeks.
Showcasing the seizures in Lagos Wednesday, the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, warned of the dangers of unrestricted access to dangerous drugs, including codeine syrup, which is a controlled drug due to its worsening abuse by delinquent youth.
According to Adeniyi, the misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have led to grave security and public health concerns, and have contributed to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects and societal challenges.
On its part, and “as part of the NCS’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the society and protecting the well-being of citizens, the NCS has once again demonstrated its dedication to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking,” he stated.
“Last week, officers of the Federal Operating Unit Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode junction. An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup.
“This underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and well-being.
“On our part, we will continue to partner the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians.”
He further stressed that rice smuggling compromises nation’s revenue and sabotages food security, regretting that rice and premium motor spirit smugglers have continued to test the agency’s will to put them out of business.
However, “they met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS. These seizures are a fallout of our uncompromising position to strictly enforce the law and protect the lives of our people.
“The codeine syrup, which is reportedly being abused by mostly young persons in the society, is associated with addiction and, in the long-term, results in anxiety, depression, memory loss and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain.
“It is pertinent to note that the damaging effects of drugs have led to preventable deaths for consumers taking them outside doctor’s prescription.”
Similarly, “the used tyres seized within the first two weeks of August by this unit is not limited to the implementation of import prohibition list but is also a giant stride to mitigate auto crash caused by smuggled used tyres.
“These tyres are squeezed, compressed and tucked into themselves for ease of concealment, thereby causing them to crack. They are oftentimes expired; their rigidity and strength compromised.
“Drivers could experience a blowout or sudden rupture as the steel wire meant to keep the tyres in shape has been disorganised in the course of smuggling.”
