NDLEA Forfeits N33.6B Opioids at Onne Port
Analysis based on 15 articles · First reported Apr 21, 2026 · Last updated Apr 21, 2026
The interim forfeiture of N33.6 billion worth of illicit opioids by the Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is a significant blow to drug cartels, potentially disrupting their financial operations and reducing the supply of illegal substances. This action reinforces the government's commitment to combating drug trafficking, which could positively impact public health and security, but also highlights vulnerabilities in port security.
The Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an interim forfeiture order from the Nigeria===Federal High Court of Nigeria in Nigeria===Port Harcourt for 17 shipping containers laden with illicit opioids. These containers, intercepted at the Nigeria===Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, between April and September 2025, contained 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, along with 2.49 million bottles of Codeine syrup. The combined street value of these seizures is estimated at N33.6 billion. Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the order, vesting custody of the containers and their contents to the Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency until the final determination of the suit. Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, hailed the forfeiture as a decisive blow to drug cartels, emphasizing its impact on their financial base and their ability to fund further criminality. He commended the judiciary, Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officers, the Nigeria===Nigeria Customs Service, and international partners for their roles in this successful operation.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard