The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is working with its US and British counterparts to investigate the origins of a $235 million cocaine shipment seized at Tincan Port in Lagos, in one of the country’s largest drug seizures.
NDLEA said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday that it was working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate after 1,000 kg of cocaine was discovered in an empty container at a terminal in Tin Can over the past weekend.
PTML operators, who noticed the consignment in an empty container, invited port stakeholders, including the NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies, for a joint examination.
The drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA on Tuesday after tests confirmed the substance was cocaine.
“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,” Mr Babafemi said.
The operation followed collaborative engagements between NDLEA Chairman/CEO Mr Mohamed Buba Marwa and the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr 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,” Mr Marwa said.
He revealed that 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,” Mr Marwa added.