The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a Federal High Court order granting interim forfeiture of 17 shipping containers seized at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, over their involvement in large-scale drug trafficking valued at more than N33.6bn.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the order followed an ex parte application filed before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.

The containers were intercepted between April and September 2025 and were found to contain large quantities of illicit substances, including Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, Carisoprodol, and over 2.4 million bottles of Codeine Syrup.

Ruling on the application, Justice Adamu Mohammed ordered that the containers and their contents be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the final determination of the case.

The court further directed that custody and possession of the seized items be transferred to the NDLEA.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the ruling as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking, saying it represented a direct hit on criminal networks targeting Nigerian youths.

He said the seizure had effectively deprived drug cartels of resources they intended to use in expanding their operations, adding that proceeds from drug trafficking are often linked to other forms of criminality, including terrorism.

Marwa commended the judiciary for its support, stressing that timely court intervention remains critical to successful enforcement actions.

He also praised operatives at the Onne Port Command for their vigilance, alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies that supported the operation, as well as international partners who provided intelligence.