A huge load of opioids captured in a joint operation is destroyed by the FDA.
Significant amounts of unregistered, high-strength opioid medications that were unlawfully smuggled into Ghana are now being safely disposed of by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
The FDA obtained a court order to destroy the medications after they were found during a joint inspection operation on March 14, 2025.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) were all involved in the operation.
According to the FDA, the seized drugs included:
- 26 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol (250mg)
- 160 cartons of Tafradol Tapentadol (120mg)
- 40 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol (120mg)
- 4 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol (250mg)
The uncontrolled importation of tapentadol, a potent opioid used to treat extreme pain, poses serious risks to public health and safety.
“The FDA is safely disposing of a massive haul of unregistered, high-strength opioids that were illegally imported into the country,” the Authority said in a Facebook post on Friday.
According to authorities, the action is a component of larger initiatives to combat illegal pharmaceutical trafficking and safeguard Ghana’s public health.
