The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has blocked drugs worth ₦5 billion from entering Nigeria through Onne Port in Rivers State over the past year.
Speaking at the 2026 World Drug Day event in Port Harcourt, the NDLEA Commander at the port, Omerio Odo, said officers intercepted seven containers. Inside were more than 3.5 million opioid tablets and 1.2 million bottles of codeine, weighing 206 tonnes in total. He described the haul as “the weight of misery and destruction” that would have harmed families and communities for the profit of drug dealers.
Odo credited the seizures to better intelligence, sharper vigilance, and stronger teamwork with the Nigeria Customs Service, DSS, Navy, Nigerian Ports Authority, terminal operators, and other security agencies.
He noted that Onne Port is vital for trade, but traffickers keep trying to use sea routes to smuggle drugs. The command, he said, will keep up “relentless and ruthless” operations to stop illegal substances at the seaports.
The commander also warned that drug networks are evolving. They now use technology, social media, and recreational spots to find buyers. While cocaine, heroin, LSD, and cannabis remain a problem, newer threats like designer drugs and precursor chemicals are rising fast.
As part of its prevention drive under the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, the command reached 13 groups in the last year. The outreach covered schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, markets, and local communities.
Odo urged freight forwarders, clearing agents, and bonded terminal operators to check cargoes carefully and report anything suspicious. He also called on citizens, community leaders, government, and civil society to work together to cut both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.
