NDLEA and India Strengthen Fight Against Illicit Opioids Trafficking
By DAYO ADESULU
NDLEA and India Boost Partnership to Curb Illicit Opioid Flow
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have agreed to intensify action against illicit opioids trafficking between Nigeria and India. Their recent virtual meeting in Abuja marked a renewed commitment to stopping the illegal flow of tramadol and codeine syrups from South Asia into West Africa.
NDLEA Reports Massive Seizures of Tramadol Pills and Codeine Syrups
At the meeting, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Chairman, Ret’d Brigadier General Buba Marwa, highlighted the dire scale of the crisis. Between January 2024 and June 2025, his agency seized over one billion opioid pills, mostly tramadol, along with more than 14.4 million bottles of codeine-based syrup. These staggering numbers underscore how illicit opioids trafficking Nigeria–India poses a serious threat to public health and national security.
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MoU Framework Anchors Joint Enforcement Efforts
This collaboration builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 by both agencies. Marwa emphasized that the MoU lays a strong foundation for sharing intelligence and resources to intercept drug shipments. He further urged NCB to support National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with advanced training, including cyber-investigations, forensic analysis, financial crime detection, and dark web tracking.
India’s NCB Readies Knowledge Transfer and Training Support
NCB Director General Anurag Garg responded with full support for the initiative. He stressed that drug trafficking networks respect no borders, and defeating them requires international unity. He assured NDLEA that India stands ready to share expertise and host tailored training sessions covering clandestine labs, precursor chemicals, and darknet investigations.
NDLEA’s Record-Amplitude Seizures Draw Global Attention
NDLEA’s intensified operation reflects wider trends. In January 2025, the agency intercepted 338,200 bottles of codeine syrup worth over ₦1.19 billion at Onne Port in Port Harcourt. Previous high-volume seizures—including 1.2 million bottles valued at ₦9.8 billion—demonstrate the scale of the opioid smuggling challenge. These interventions were supported by targeted intelligence-led maritime operations, aligning with NDLEA’s mission to dismantle drug syndicates.
National Impact—Opioid Crisis Thriving in West Africa
Experts note that abuses of tramadol and codeine remain widespread across Nigeria and neighboring countries. In fact, opioids were the leading cause of fatal drug overdose in Nigeria by 2024. Most vulnerable groups include youths and laborers, who often misuse opioid medications. Such trends reinforce the need for urgent, transnational interventions to disrupt illicit pharmaceutical pipelines.
Strategic Collaborations Can Dismantle Global Trafficking Networks
By combining efforts, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and NCB can strike at the heart of opioid smuggling networks. This partnership can sharpen Nigeria’s law enforcement capacity, boost interdiction success, and reduce the flood of dangerous drugs on the streets. Additionally, enhanced training will enable NDLEA officers to tackle emerging threats like darknet marketplaces and international syndicates.
Summary of Key Development
| Focus | Details |
|---|---|
| Illegal Drugs Targeted | Tramadol pills and codeine-based cough syrup |
| Seizure Data | 1B+ pills; 14.4M+ bottles (Jan 2024–Jun 2025) |
| MoU Effect | Enhanced intelligence-sharing and operational coordination |
| Training Focus | Cyber investigations, darknet tracking, clandestine labs, precursors |
| Impact | Disrupting opioid flow, protecting public health, targeting trafficking |
Final Thoughts
Illicit opioids trafficking between Nigeria and India continues to wreak havoc on West African communities. This latest NDLEA–NCB collaboration signals a strategic and hopeful shift. Through enforcement synergy and training partnerships, both nations can significantly reduce the flow of dangerous opioids and protect vulnerable populations.
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