Court Approves Seizure of Opioids Valued at N33.6 Billion by NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has obtained a court order for the temporary forfeiture of 17 shipping containers filled with illegal opioids. The total worth of these substances is estimated at over N33.6 billion.

Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued the directive after the agency submitted an ex parte application.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the agency, stated that the containers were discovered at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, throughout various dates spanning April to September 2025.

The confiscated inventory includes 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, alongside nearly 2.5 million bottles of codeine syrup. The total weight of these substances is approximately 365,657 kilograms. The court has granted the NDLEA temporary custody of the shipment until the legal case concludes.

Mohamed Buba Marwa, the head of the NDLEA, stated that this legal victory significantly weakens drug trafficking operations.

He noted that removing these assets prevents criminal groups from profiting while also demonstrating the government’s commitment to stopping the illicit trade.

Marwa thanked the judiciary for their cooperation and acknowledged the efforts of the Onne Port command, partner security forces, and international collaborators in executing the operation.