The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a joint investigation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to uncover the cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at over $235 million (about ₦338 billion).
The illicit shipment, described as one of the largest single cocaine seizures in Nigeria’s maritime history, was intercepted at the PTML Terminal, Tincan Island Port, in Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operators at the terminal discovered the suspicious consignment hidden in an empty container and promptly notified relevant port stakeholders, including the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which led to a joint inspection.
Babafemi said field tests conducted by NDLEA officers confirmed the substance as cocaine. The consignment was immediately taken into the agency’s custody on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for further investigation.
“The NDLEA is working closely with the United States DEA and the United Kingdom NCA to trace and dismantle the cartel responsible for importing the 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine discovered at the PTML Terminal,” Babafemi said.
He explained that the operation followed close collaboration between the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Babafemi added that the cocaine, estimated to be worth over ₦338 billion, marks the largest single seizure of the drug ever recorded at the Tincan Port.
International Collaboration
Marwa said the NDLEA invited international partners due to the scale of the shipment and the suspected global network of the drug cartel. Officers from the US DEA and UK NCA have since joined the ongoing investigation.
“Given the volume and international value of the recovered Class A drug, and the cross-border nature of the cartel, we considered it critical to involve our leading international partners,” the statement read.
According to the NDLEA, the collaborative probe is expected to unravel the transnational syndicate responsible for the massive cocaine haul and strengthen Nigeria’s cooperation with global anti-narcotics agencies.
Recent Arrests and NDLEA’s Progress
The agency also announced the arrest of several suspects linked to drug-related crimes, including a wanted drug baron, Yussuf Azeez, who was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
Over the past 30 months, the NDLEA has seized 8.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs, arrested 45,853 suspects, and secured 9,263 convictions, according to Marwa.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying its anti-narcotics operations and strengthening partnerships with international law enforcement bodies to combat the global drug trade.
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