Customs Intercepts 20 Containers of Illicit Drugs in Onne Port
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne, Rivers State, has intercepted 20 containers filled with illicit drugs valued at over N13.5 billion.
The outgoing Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made this disclosure on Wednesday while parading the seized items before journalists in Onne. He formally handed over leadership of the command to his successor, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, shortly after the briefing.
According to Babandede, the intercepted cargo contained 1,195,400 bottles of codeine syrup, 3.2 million tablets of extra Diclofenac, 3.5 million tablets of benzhexol, 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipment, and 2,612,400 packs of analgin injections. Also recovered were 239,400 diluent ampoules of artesunate injection and 399,700 ampoules of expired artemac injection.
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He revealed that the drugs, imported from India, were concealed under the guise of legitimate imports such as 6,720 pieces of chilli cutters, 192 cartons of bench vices, 30 ceiling fans, 479 plumbing materials, 6,048 blades, hoes, wall lights, bales of used clothes, and gallons of vegetable oil.
Babandede described the seizure as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria.
“Exactly six weeks ago, the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Director-General of NAFDAC were here when we intercepted similar illicit consignments. Their joint visit symbolised the synergy between both agencies in safeguarding public health,” he said.
The controller warned that the abuse of prescription drugs such as codeine and tramadol often leads to addiction, crime, and other social problems. He attributed the success of the operation to the vigilance and dedication of officers in the command.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the Onne Command announced that it had generated N859 billion in revenue between May 2024 and July 2025, while also confiscating contraband goods worth N200 billion within the same period.
By PRNigeria
