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•Seizes 5, 600 litres of smuggled petrol
By Steve Agbota
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday, said that it intercepted 299 cartons of codeine syrup (hard drugs), 5, 600 litres of petrol and other contrabands worth over N100 million along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
Addressing Journalists at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos, acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said that NCS has yet again drawn national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use of dangerous drugs.
Adeniyi, added that Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth, adding that the misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges.
In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access.
“As part of 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. 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 along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
“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 with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians,” he added.
He said, smugglers of rice and premium motor spirit continued to test the Customs’ will to put them out of business, adding that smuggling of rice compromised the nation’s revenue and sabotage food security.
According to him, despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on the nation’s economy, smugglers still make attempts to smuggle PMS across the border.
“They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS. The following seizures of both items were recorded, A total of 4, 252 bags of foreign Parboiled rice (50 kg each) at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 Axis in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
“Similarly, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to take out these strategic resource through Oja-odan axis in Ogun State. Other items seized in the last two weeks included: 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 and 170 pieces of used tyres
“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 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 doctors’ prescriptions.
“The 340 pieces of used tyres seized within the first two weeks of August 2023 by this unit is not only limited to the implementation of import prohibition lists but also a giant stride to mitigate auto crashes 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,” he said.
