The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully confiscated 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, estimated to be worth N4.4 billion on the streets, at the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State. This significant recovery was announced by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy for NDLEA, during a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Babafemi, the illicit drugs were detected in shipments originating from India on December 9, 11, and 13. The seizures occurred following a collaborative inspection of four containers conducted by NDLEA officers, personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies at the port. He emphasized that these operations were enabled by actionable and reliable intelligence gathered by NDLEA operatives.
“At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4billion in street value were intercepted in shipments from India,” Babafemi stated.
In parallel with these enforcement actions, various commands and units of NDLEA across Nigeria have been actively engaged in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). Over the past week, the agency has conducted sensitization programs targeting schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
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He further explained that these initiatives are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to minimize the risks associated with illicit drug abuse and trafficking throughout the nation.
Reflecting on the operation’s success, Babafemi shared a commendation from NDLEA Chairman, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, who praised the officers and personnel of the Onne Commands for their effective arrests and seizures. Marwa asserted that such operational achievements demonstrate to drug traffickers and cartels that the agency possesses the necessary capacity and intelligence network to monitor and intercept their activities even before the drugs reach Nigerian shores.
He concluded by stating that the agency would continue to sustain its efforts vigorously to prevent any setbacks in the fight against drug-related crimes.
