The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has begun the safe disposal of a significant quantity of unregistered, high-strength opioid drugs that were illegally imported into Ghana.

The destruction exercise follows a court order secured by the FDA after the drugs were seized during a joint inspection operation conducted on March 14, 2025.

The operation involved the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

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)

Tapentadol is a powerful opioid used for severe pain management, and its unregulated importation raises major public health and safety concerns.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Authority stated, “The FDA is safely disposing of a massive haul of unregistered, high-strength opioids that were illegally imported into the country...”

Authorities say the move is part of broader efforts to clamp down on the trafficking of illicit pharmaceuticals and protect public health in Ghana.