NDLEA Finalizes Forfeiture of ₦33.6 Billion Opioid Consignment

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has finalized the interim forfeiture of 17 shipping containers containing illicit opioids worth over **₦33.6 billion**. The ruling, delivered by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed, effectively transfers the ownership of the 19.6 million pills and 2.4 million bottles of codeine syrup to the Federal Government.

The seizure, which took place at Onne Port in Rivers State, is one of the largest single interdictions in the history of the NDLEA. Agency Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the court order as a "death knell" for the financial nerves of the drug cartels, noting that the agency is now focused on identifying the "unknown persons" who illegally imported the consignment.

The drugs, which weigh a combined 365,657 kilogrammes, are scheduled for public destruction once the final forfeiture order is granted. Marwa reiterated that this action strikes at the heart of terrorism financing, as proceeds from such illicit trades are often used to fund insurgency in the North.

#UTVAfrica#