Nigeria, US, UK Launch Joint Probe Into N338bn Cocaine Seized At Lagos Port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said it is working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) to unravel the cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilogrammes  of cocaine worth N338 billion, recovered from a container at the PTML Terminal of Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

The PTML operators had noticed the consignment in an empty container last weekend and invited port stakeholders including NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies for joint examination.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said “after field test by its agents confirmed the shipment to be cocaine, the consignment was formally transferred to the NDLEA custody for further investigation on Tuesday November 11, 2025 following collaborative engagements between the chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd) and the comptroller general of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.

“As a result of the large quantity of the recovered Class A drug, which is worth over $235 235million (Over N338 billion) in the international market and the global dimension to the cocaine cartel, Marwa, on Tuesday, directed that the agency’s leading international partners be involved in the investigation.

“In a swift response to the agency’s request, officers of the US-DEA and UK-NCA have already joined the ongoing investigation of the largest single seizure of cocaine at the Tincan Port Lagos.”

Reacting to the seizure, Marwa 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.

This followed personal excellent engagement between myself and the Customs CG on this case.”