The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) collaborates with the UK and US governments to track the source of the 1,000kg of cocaine seizure at the PTML Customs Command, Lagos
By Patrick Ogboru
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 that it was working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate the cartel behind the importation of the 1,000 kilograms of cocaine seized at the Ports and Terminals Multiservices Limited (PTML) Customs Command, Lagos.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the seizure was discovered by Customs operatives at the PTML Command when they noticed the consignment in an empty container and invited port stakeholders, including the NDLEA, and other security agencies, for joint examination.
“After field tests confirmed the shipment to be cocaine, the consignment was formally transferred to NDLEA custody for further investigation on Tuesday, 11 November 2025”.
Babafemi added that the operation followed collaborative engagements between NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.
“Due to the large quantity of the recovered Class A drug, valued at over $235 million (approximately N338 billion) on the international market, and the global dimension of the cocaine cartel, I directed that our leading international partners be involved in the investigation,” Marwa was quoted to have said.
“Officers from the US-DEA and UK-NCA have already joined the probe, focusing on ensuring all aspects of the operation are covered and that the masterminds behind the consignment are brought to justice worldwide.
“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned, so that every perpetrator of this massive consignment is held accountable, wherever they are located,” Marwa added.
Recalled that in a significant drug bust, the PTML Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) successfully intercepted a massive shipment of cocaine valued at ₦29.4 billion.
The seizure was disclosed to the media by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Joe Anani during a press conference held at the Command’s headquarters.
Giving details of the seizure, Comptroller Anani revealed that customs officials became suspicious of certain packages among approximately 39 empty containers designated for export at the seaport.
Upon further investigation, the officers discovered the illicit cargo hidden within one specific container, marked GCNU1332851, which had arrived from Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October 7, 2025.
Comptroller Anani explained that the terminal operator had raised the alarm, prompting a coordinated inspection involving various agencies, including the NDLEA, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Police Anti-Bomb Squad.
The inspection revealed 50 packages containing a total of 1,000 kilograms (one tonne) of cocaine, with a duty paid value (DPV) of ₦29,403,738,000.
Anani emphasized that the illicit container was not intended for import into Nigeria but was part of a shipment of empty containers brought in for export. Anani described the incident as one of the most “mysterious cocaine interceptions” in the history of the Service.
Comptroller Anani said, “This is not just the first hard drug seizure in PTML’s history, but also one of the most mysterious cocaine interceptions ever recorded by the Nigeria Customs Service.”
He commended the collaboration and vigilance displayed by his officers, terminal operators, and other security agencies involved in the operation.
Following the seizure, the narcotics had been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Marwa as the chairman NDLEA for another five years.
A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, relayed that Marwa will remain the NDLEA boss until 2031.
Marwa, a former military governor of Lagos, was first appointed to the position by late former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, after serving as the chairman of the presidential advisory committee for the elimination of drug abuse from 2018 to 2020.
Commenting on the reappointment, Tinubu urged Marwa not to relent in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and use in the country.
The statement said, “Your reappointment is a vote of confidence in your onerous efforts to rid our country of the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse.
“I urge you not to relent in tracking the merchants of hard drugs, out to destroy our people, especially the young ones.” Tinubu said.
