The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has lauded the interim forfeiture order granted by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, on 17 containers of illicit opioids seized at Onne port.

The contents of the containers are put at about N33.6 billion combined street value.

This is contained in a statement by the director, media and advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that the chairman of the agency, Buba Marwa, reacting to the court’s order, described the forfeiture as a death knell for the financial nerves of the criminal syndicates involved.

According to Mr Marwa, it is is not just a seizure; but a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels aimed at destroying the lives of youths and funding further criminality.

“By stripping the criminal syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations.

“This sends a clear message that the Nigerian state will not allow the proceeds of death to circulate to fund terrorism and other forms of criminality in our country,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman commended the Nigerian judiciary for its steadfast support and timely intervention in granting the interim forfeiture.

He noted that the partnership between the temple of justice and the agency was critical to winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He also commended the officers, men and women of the NDLEA, particularly those attached to the Onne port command, for their vigilance, professional integrity, and eagle-eyed scrutiny that led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.

He further acknowledged the vital role played by sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other port stakeholders whose cooperation ensured a seamless interdiction process.

He commended international partners for their continued intelligence sharing and technical support, which he said remained a cornerstone of the agency’s success.

According to him, the agency remains resolute in its mission to dismantle drug networks across the country.

The containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers, on September 4; August 13 and 14; July 29; June 13; May 14, 19, 20, 28, 29, and 30; and April 29, 2025, respectively.

The containers were said to contain a staggering haul of 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as over 2.49 million bottles of codeine syrup.

(NAN)