The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has secured an interim forfeiture order over 17 shipping containers loaded with illicit opioids worth more than N33.6 billion, describing the development as a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking through Nigerian ports.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by Femi Babafemi. its Director of Media and Advocacy,
According to the statement, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted the order after an ex parte application filed by the NDLEA in 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.
NDLEA said the consignments contained millions of tablets and bottles of banned and controlled substances, including Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, Carisoprodol, as well as more than 2.4 million bottles of Codeine syrup.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Adamu Mohammed ordered the interim forfeiture of the containers to the Federal Government.
The court held that the 17 containers contained a total of 365,675 kilograms of various psychotropic substances allegedly imported illegally through the Onne Seaport by unidentified persons.
The judge further directed that custody and possession of the containers and their contents remain with the NDLEA pending the final determination of the case.
Reacting to the ruling, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, described the order as a significant blow to criminal drug networks.
He said the seizure and forfeiture would deprive traffickers of resources allegedly intended to endanger young Nigerians and finance other criminal activities.
Marwa added that stripping the syndicates of assets valued at over N33.6 billion sends a strong warning that Nigeria will not tolerate the use of illicit drug proceeds to support organised crime or insecurity.
He commended the judiciary for its support, noting that timely court orders remain crucial to the agency’s enforcement efforts.
The NDLEA chairman also praised officers of the Onne Port Command, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies for their collaboration, while acknowledging international partners for intelligence support.
