The Food and Drugs Authority has disposed of a significant consignment of opioid drugs intercepted at the Tema Port, following authorisation from the High Court to destroy the shipment.
The opioids were seized during a joint inspection in December 2025 conducted by the FDA, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau. Initial examination indicated the shipment contained pharmaceutical opioids mixed with other substances, with dosages far exceeding limits permitted under Ghanaian law. The presence of these substances raised serious concerns about the use of Ghana’s ports for illicit drug trafficking.
In response, the FDA and the Customs Division jointly applied to the Tema High Court for authority to dispose of the seized consignment safely. The court granted the application, recognising the public health and safety risks posed by the drugs. Under the order, the FDA oversaw the destruction of the shipment in accordance with legal and regulatory procedures.
The regulatory provisions cited by the FDA in explaining the breaches include sections of L.I. 168 of 2018 and provisions of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891). These laws set dosage limits and outline import and distribution rules for controlled substances entering Ghana.
Investigations into the shipment also revealed multiple documentation irregularities, which regulatory authorities said pointed to lapses in cargo monitoring systems and non-compliance with established procedures for imported pharmaceutical consignments. The findings have highlighted ongoing challenges in preventing illicit drugs from entering the domestic market through major transportation hubs.
The FDA has previously led similar efforts to intercept and destroy large quantities of opioids and other controlled drugs at ports and border posts in collaboration with state agencies. Enforcement actions are part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and curb the abuse and illegal distribution of controlled substances.
At this stage there have been no public disclosures about subsequent arrests or criminal charges linked to this specific consignment. Investigations into the origins of the shipment and how it evaded standard monitoring are understood to be ongoing.