The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered 1,000 kilograms of cocaine at the PTML terminal of the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
According to the agency, it is working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to identify and apprehend those responsible for the importation.
The narcotics, valued at “over $235 million (about N338 billion),” were found last weekend in an empty container after port operators detected suspicious packages and alerted security agencies, including the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service, for a joint inspection.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, confirmed that field tests conducted by the agency’s officers verified the substance to be cocaine.
“The consignment was formally transferred to NDLEA custody for further investigation on Tuesday 11th November 2025 following collaborative engagements between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi,” the statement reads.
He noted that the discovery represents the largest single cocaine seizure ever recorded at the Tincan Island Port.
“As a result of the large quantity of the recovered Class A drug which is worth over $235million dollars (Over N338 billion) in international market and the global dimension to the cocaine cartel, Marwa on Tuesday 11th November directed that the Agency’s leading international partners be involved in the investigation,” Babafemi stated.
Officers from the US-DEA and UK-NCA have now joined NDLEA personnel in Lagos to track the international drug network believed to be responsible for the shipment.
“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned and every gap is sufficiently covered so that ultimately we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book wherever they are located across the globe,” Babafemi said.
He added that the collaboration followed “personal excellent engagement” between NDLEA leadership and the Customs chief.