Nigerian Customs intercepts N18 million worth of illicit drugs at Mfum Border in Cross River
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of restricted drugs worth over N18 million at the Mfum Border in Cross River State.
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:
- 37 units of Phenobarbital Sodium Sterop 100mg
- 216 units of Pethidine 100mg Solution Injection
- 108 units of Fentanyl 50mm
- 216 units of Morphine Sulfate 10mg/ml
- 49 units of Phenobarbital Sodium Injection
- 23 units of Midazolam Mylan 5mg/ml
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.
Handing over to NDLEA
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.
- The Comptroller stressed the importance of inter-agency synergy in tackling national challenges.
“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.
- Receiving the seized items, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Rachel Umebuali, praised the Customs officers for their professionalism and successful interception.
“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.
What you should know
Nairametrics 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.
- Comptroller Babatunde Olomu disclosed that 236,783 bottles of the prohibited cough syrup were found in 2,174 cartons.
- The operation unfolded on October 11, 2024, when officers discovered 34,800 bottles of CSP cough syrup in container MRKU0377493, packed in 174 cartons. The syrup was also found to have expired, highlighting the significant public health risks of such illicit imports. On the same day, another container, TGBU8886020, was inspected at APM Terminals, revealing 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup in 100-bottle cartons.
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.
