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Gains of shared intelligence: Tin Can Customs seizes Container Load Of Codeine

Comptroller Abdullahi Musa, Tin Can Command

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Command has announced the seizure of a 1×40 ft containe laden with 1,506 cartons of BARCADINE CODEINE, including other questionable drugs.

The interception of the suspected pharmaceutical substance by NCS was made possible through the collaborative effort of sister agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In a statement made available to Nation Update through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Uche Ejesieme, praised the gallantry of the two agencies NCS and NDLEA towards achieving this feat in the best interest of the country.

Ejesieme disclosed that acting on the intelligence provided by NDLEA, the customs command leadership directed that the container with registration number MSCU 1751320 be taken to the enforcement unit for 100 percent examination, where it was discovered that it was laden with 1,506 cartons of BARCADINE CODEINE, including other questionable drugs.

The spokesperson stated: “The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, intercepted large quantity of pharmaceutical preparations suspected to be hard drugs in a 1×40 ft container with no MSCU 1751320 during routine examination.

“Relying on the well established collaboration and synergy which is at the base of our standard operating procedure, the national Drug Law Enforcement Agency, acting on intelligence which has been on their radar, notified the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullah Musa of their strong suspicion that the said container was laden with concealed hard drugs.

“Following the development, the Customs Area controller directed that the container be transferred to the Enforcement unit of the command on the 6th of September 2021 where a 100% physical examination was carried out.”

Ejesieme, went further to itemize contents of the container as follows: 1,506 cartons of Barcadine Codeine(100 bottles per carton of 100ml) each, 189 Cartons of 100 PCS per carton of really extra(Pain and fever tablets), and 47 cartons of 6 packs of 3pcs each.

“Sequel to this the said container was impounded and will be handed over to the National Drug law Enforcement Agency in line with section 169 of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 Laws of the Federal Republic 2004 as amended”, adding:

“It is instructive to reiterate that the renewed and strengthened partnership with sister Agencies in the port, has continually yielded expected results and the command will leverage on that to decimate the activities of these criminal gangs and their supply chain.”

The command spokesman however expressed deep concern over the effect of addiction of young Nigerians to Codeine Syrup-a drug which it’s notoriety has become unbearable.

Ejesieme reminded that excessive consumption of it can cause psychosis and organ failure on its abusers therefore warned all and sundry to take precautions.