Court Orders Forfeiture of N33.6b Opioids Seized by NDLEA

Court Orders Forfeiture of N33.6b Opioids Seized by NDLEA

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has secured an interim forfeiture order for 17 containers loaded with illicit opioids valued at over N33.6 billion, in what authorities describe as a major blow to drug trafficking networks.

The order was granted by Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, following an ex parte application filed by the agency.

The containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, during multiple operations carried out between April and September 2025.

According to the agency, the consignments contained 19.6 million pills of controlled substances, including Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as 2.49 million bottles of codeine syrup. The total street value of the seized drugs was estimated at N33.69 billion.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed ordered that the containers and their contents be forfeited to the Federal Government pending the final determination of the case.

“An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen shipping containers containing various types of psychotropic substances illegally imported into Nigeria,” the judge ruled, adding that custody of the items should remain with the agency until the matter is concluded.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the forfeiture as a significant setback for criminal syndicates.

“This is not just a seizure; it is a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels intended to use in destroying the lives of our youths and funding further criminality,” he said. “By stripping them of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations.”

Marwa added that the action sends a clear signal that authorities will not allow proceeds from illicit drug trade to fuel other forms of crime, including terrorism.

He commended the judiciary for what he described as timely intervention, noting that collaboration between the courts and enforcement agencies remains critical in tackling drug trafficking.

The NDLEA boss also praised officers at the Onne Port Command for their vigilance, as well as the support of other agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, in ensuring the successful interception of the shipments.

He further acknowledged the contribution of international partners through intelligence sharing and technical assistance, stressing that the agency remains committed to dismantling drug networks across the country.

The case has been adjourned pending further proceedings.