“NDLEA Triumphs: Seizing N33.6bn in Opioids at Onne Port!”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has acquired a provisional forfeiture decree for 17 containers filled with illegal opioids estimated at over N33.6 billion.

This decree was granted by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, subsequent to an ex parte application presented by the agency.

In a declaration on Tuesday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, indicated that the containers were seized at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, on various occasions between April and September 2025.

As per the agency, the confiscated shipments comprise 19.6 million tablets of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, alongside 2,496,400 bottles of codeine syrup, aggregating a street value estimated at N33,691,200,000.

While adjudicating the request, Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed mandated the provisional forfeiture of the containers, which hold 365,657kg of psychotropic substances, to the Federal Government.

The court also entrusted the custody of the items to the NDLEA pending the ultimate resolution of the case.

Responding to the news, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, characterized the forfeiture as a significant setback to drug trafficking organizations.

He noted that the measure removes resources utilized to promote drug abuse and other illegal activities, asserting that it conveys a powerful message of the government’s commitment to fight against the illicit drug trade.

Marwa further applauded the judiciary for issuing the decree, emphasizing that cooperation between the courts and the agency is essential in addressing drug-related crimes.

He also recognized NDLEA personnel at the Onne Port Command, as well as other security forces and international collaborators, for their contributions to the operation.