The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced that it is collaborating with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) after an interception of over 1,000 kg of cocaine at the Tincan Island Port (PTML) terminal in Lagos.
The seizure came to light when PTML terminal operators noted suspicious packages in what appeared to be an empty container, imported from Freetown, Sierra Leone. The container was part of a shipment of 39 apparently empty containers. Upon alert, a joint examination involving the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), anti-bomb squad, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security units was conducted, and NDLEA’s field-tests confirmed the substance as cocaine.
The value of the haul is staggering: in the international market it is valued at over US$235 million (about N 338 billion). Domestically, Customs earlier estimated the value at N 29.4 billion.
Instructed by NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the agency brought in its major international partners given the global scope of the cartel behind the shipment. Marwa said the collaboration is essential 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.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA also arrested a wanted UK fugitive, 40-year-old Yussuf Abayomi Azeez, at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport while he attempted to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. A subsequent raid in Lekki yielded another suspect, 43-year-old Abideen Kekere-Ekun, and the recovery of 148.3 kg of “Colorado” (a synthetic cannabis), precursor chemicals and other illicit substances.
The seizure is significant not just for law enforcement but economically: removing illicit product worth over US$235 million disrupts criminal capital flows and strengthens investor and trade confidence at Nigeria’s busiest import port, potentially improving free-flowing container traffic and reducing hidden costs of corruption and smuggling on the formal economy.
