230 cartons of seized opioids destroyed
The 230 cartons of the highly dangerous opioids, which were recently intercepted at the Tema Port in an illicit importation into Ghana and other West African nations have been destroyed.
The Ministry of Health and the Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) on Friday set fire to the drugs following a court order.
The consignment of undeclared opioid pharmaceuticals, worth GH₵20 million which were purportedly in transit to Niger, were seized in a joint operation by regulatory and intelligence agencies at Tema Port on March 14, 2025.
The shipment was seized following a coordinated inspection involving the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
The 230 cartons of opioids which were destroyed on Friday included 128 cartons of Tafrodol, 92 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol and 10 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol
Briefing journalists, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said that the safe disposal of the items followed a court order secured for the destruction of the drugs.
Background
On March 14, 2025 a team of NACOC, FDA, and Customs impounded a consignment of opioids under the guise of transiting from Ghana to Niger.
After impounding it, the state swiftly moved to court to seek an order for the destruction of the opioids.
The court granted the application for the destruction with clear orders, including the venue for destruction. Including people who must witness the destruction, including registerer of the High Court, FDA, NACOC as well as the Ministry of Science and Environment.
Mr Mintah Akandoh said after the safe disposal of these consignments, government was going further to interrogate and investigate the client agent and the importer.
"Our information indicates that the importer is not a Ghanaian. The goods were being transported to Niger. And so, we are in touch with the Niger government to know whether or not they okayed such a consignment into their country. But as I stated earlier on, even if the Niger government has okayed such a consignment, our bodies, our ports, our airports will never be used as safe haven." He said.
He said the Ministry has waged a war against the influx of opioids in Ghana and would continue to monitor whatever is going on at the ports and harbors.
Investigation
He reiterated the fact that only Kotoka International Airport and the Tema Port had been designated for the import and export of drugs hence government has instructed the security agencies, including the Customs, to impound whatever drugs they get at any of the land bodies.
On investigations, he said officials of the Customs have been instructed to hand over the culprits to the Attorney General's Department once they finish the investigation for prosecution
Collaboration
The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko said her outfit would continue to collaborate with the Customs Division and other regulatory outfits at the various ports to ensure that such illegal drugs were not sneaked through.
"We have increased our border presence. At the airport, we're now working 24 hours. At the port, we already work 24 hours. So we're going to start working 24 hours at the airport, so that our consignment cards are not evaded," she said
Writer's email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
