NDLEA Moves Against Drug Syndicates as Court Forfeits N33.6bn Seizure

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

A heist of 19.6 million pills of Tramadol and other illicit drugs worth over N33.6 billion has been halted following a Federal High Court order forfeiting 17 containers intercepted at Onne Port in Rivers State.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, the court granted an interim forfeiture of the seized containers to the Federal Government pending the final determination of the case.

The order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, after an ex parte application filed by the agency in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.

The containers, intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne between April and September 2025, contained 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as 2.49 million bottles of codeine syrup, with a combined street value of N33.69 billion.

The court held that the 17 containers, weighing 365,657 kilograms, were illegally imported into the country by unidentified persons through the Onne seaport, and ordered that they remain in the custody of the NDLEA.

Reacting, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the forfeiture had dealt a major blow to drug cartels by cutting off resources used to fund criminal activities.

He added that the development underscoresongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks and prevent the circulation of illicit substances across the country.

Marwa also commended the judiciary, NDLEA officers at the Onne Port Command, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other stakeholders for their roles in the interception, noting that collaboration with international partners continues to strengthen the agency’s operations.