National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a massive cocaine consignment worth over $235 million (approximately ₦338 billion) at PTML terminal of Tincan Island Port in Lagos, marking the largest drug bust ever recorded at the port.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the seizure involved about 1,000 kilograms of cocaine concealed in an empty container.
The discovery was made after port operators detected suspicious packages and alerted security authorities, prompting a joint inspection with the Nigeria Customs Service. Field analysis later confirmed the substance to be cocaine.
Babafemi disclosed that the NDLEA has commenced a full-scale investigation in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to track down members of the international cartel responsible for the shipment.
He added that the handover of the seized consignment to the NDLEA was completed on November 11, 2025, following close coordination between NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and Customs Comptroller General, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.
Given the magnitude and cross-border nature of the case, Marwa directed immediate collaboration with international counterparts to ensure the syndicate behind the operation is identified and prosecuted.
Babafemi said, “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.”
He further noted that the joint investigation highlights the strong operational relationship between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as the agency’s growing cooperation with global anti-narcotics bodies.
