Large cocaine shipment seized at Nigerian port

By Yahaya Idris, Lagos

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reportedly intercepted 1,000kg of cocaine hidden in an empty shipping container at the PTML Terminal of Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

Port operators discovered the consignment during routine checks over the weekend of November 8-9, 2025, prompting a joint examination with NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, and other agencies.

Field tests confirmed the substance as cocaine, valued at approximately N338 billion ($235 million), marking the largest single cocaine seizure at this port.

NDLEA has partnered with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) to trace the cartel responsible.

Officers from these agencies joined the investigation promptly after NDLEA’s request, facilitated by coordination between NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) and Customs Comptroller-General Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.

The container, intended for export after disinfection, contained 50 packages with 20 parcels each.

Global Times Nigeria reports that no arrests directly tied to this shipment have been publicly detailed yet, though NDLEA recently apprehended other suspects in related cases.

The collaboration aims to dismantle the importation syndicate fully.

“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned… so that… we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book wherever they are located across the globe,” NDLEA chief Mohamed Buba Marwa said.

The bust comes amid a series of recent large cocaine seizures in the West African country. Late last month, the Nigerian Customs Service reported two containers of vehicles used to conceal illicit drugs worth more than 5.3 billion naira ($3.69 million), which were handed to NDLEA for investigation. According to officials, the containers originated from Montreal, Canada, and held 78kg of Colorado Indica, 1.2kg of hashish oil, 1,093kg of cannabis indica, and 8kg of crystal meth, all concealed in eight vehicles.

Earlier this year, the anti-narcotics agency said it had intercepted illicit substances valued at 134.2 billion naira and arrested 38 suspects in 2024. In 2022, NDLEA agents raided a warehouse at the Ikorodu area in Lagos and seized about 1.8 tonnes of cocaine, later burning the consignment after court orders.