The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an interim forfeiture order for 17 shipping containers laden with illicit opioids valued at over N33.6 billion, in a move described as a significant crackdown on drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria’s seaports.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, the order was granted by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt following an ex parte application filed by the NDLEA under suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.
The containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, between April and September 2025. Authorities disclosed that the shipments contained millions of pills, including Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, alongside more than 2.4 million bottles of codeine syrup—substances frequently linked to abuse and illegal distribution.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Adamu Mohammed ordered the interim forfeiture of the consignments to the Federal Government. The court further directed that custody of the containers remain with the NDLEA pending the final determination of the case.
In his ruling, the judge stated that the seized drugs—amounting to over 365,000 kilograms of psychotropic substances—had been illegally imported into the country through the Onne seaport by unidentified individuals.
Reacting to the court’s decision, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the forfeiture as a decisive blow against organised criminal networks. He noted that the action went beyond a routine seizure, characterising it as a complete dismantling of resources intended to fuel drug abuse and broader criminal activities.
Marwa emphasised that depriving traffickers of assets worth billions of naira strikes at the operational core of drug cartels, sending a strong signal about the government’s resolve to combat narcotics-related crimes. He added that proceeds from illicit drugs are often channelled into other forms of organised crime, including terrorism.
The NDLEA chief also commended the judiciary for its timely intervention, noting that legal backing remains crucial in sustaining enforcement efforts. He further praised officers at the Onne Port Command, as well as the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, for their collaboration during the operation.
Nigeria has increasingly been identified as a transit hub for narcotics trafficking in West Africa, underscoring the importance of sustained enforcement actions and international cooperation in tackling the menace.
Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks nationwide, adding that intelligence support from international partners continues to strengthen ongoing operations.
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