The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, securing an interim forfeiture order for illicit opioids worth over N33.6 billion.
The order was granted by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, following an application filed by the agency. The seized drugs were intercepted in 17 containers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex Onne across multiple operations between April and September 2025.
The haul includes 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, alongside 2.49 million bottles of Codeine syrup, with a combined street value estimated at N33.69 billion.
Presiding over the case, Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed ruled that the 17 containers—containing over 365,000 kilograms of psychotropic substances—be forfeited to the Federal Government pending final determination of the suit. The court also vested custody of the containers and their contents in the NDLEA.
Reacting to the ruling, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the forfeiture as a decisive blow to drug cartels.
“This is not just a seizure; it is a total dispossession of resources meant to fuel criminality and destroy lives,” Marwa said. “By stripping syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations.”
He added that the development sends a strong warning that Nigeria will not tolerate the use of illicit drug proceeds to fund terrorism or other criminal activities.
Marwa commended the judiciary for its swift action, noting that collaboration between the courts and the NDLEA remains crucial in the fight against drug trafficking. He also praised NDLEA personnel at Onne Port, as well as the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders, for their vigilance and cooperation in intercepting the shipments.
The NDLEA boss further acknowledged the support of international partners through intelligence sharing and technical assistance, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks across the country.
