The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has successfully destroyed a substantial shipment of opioid medications pursuant to a directive issued by the Tema High Court.
The drugs in question were seized at the Tema Port in December 2025, during a collaborative inspection conducted by the FDA, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
According to the FDA, the shipment comprised opioid pharmaceuticals adulterated with other substances, thereby precipitating grave concerns regarding the smuggling of illicit narcotics through Ghana’s ports.
Subsequent probes revealed multiple documentation infractions, underscoring vulnerabilities in cargo surveillance and regulatory adherence.
In light of this, the FDA and GRA jointly petitioned the Tema High Court for authorization to dispose of the medications, which was subsequently granted.
The court ordered the FDA to effect the safe destruction of the shipment in accordance with Section 132(2) of the Public Health Act.
