International Drug Bust: NDLEA, US and UK Agencies Seize N338 Billion Cocaine at Lagos Port
In a landmark international narcotics operation, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has mobilized American and British crime-fighting units to investigate the interception of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $235 million (approximately N338 billion). The massive drug haul was discovered at the PTML Terminal within Lagos’s Tincan Island Port complex.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the unprecedented seizure during a Tuesday briefing, describing it as the largest single cocaine confiscation ever recorded at the strategic Tincan Port facility. The international dimension of the investigation underscores the global nature of the drug trafficking networks operating through West African shipping routes.
How the Record-Breaking Bust Unfolded
The operation began quietly last weekend when alert terminal operators at PTML detected suspicious contents within an empty shipping container. The discovery set in motion a coordinated response that brought together multiple Nigerian security agencies, including the NDLEA and Nigeria Customs Service.
“Field tests conducted on the substance confirmed we were dealing with high-purity cocaine,” Babafemi stated. The formal handover of the consignment to NDLEA custody occurred on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, following comprehensive joint examination procedures.
International Cooperation Against Drug Cartels
The sheer scale of the seizure prompted immediate high-level coordination between NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) and Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi. Recognizing the sophisticated transnational criminal network behind such a massive shipment, Marwa directed his agency to engage international partners without delay.
“In swift response, DEA and NCA officers have joined the investigation,” Babafemi confirmed, referring to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. This collaborative approach represents a significant escalation in Nigeria’s fight against international drug trafficking organizations.
Breaking the Supply Chain
The ongoing multinational investigation aims to dismantle the entire criminal infrastructure supporting the smuggling operation. Authorities are focusing on tracing the financial networks that fund these shipments and identifying the key players in what appears to be a highly organized international cartel.
This record-breaking seizure at one of Nigeria’s busiest ports sends a clear message to drug traffickers: the net is closing. With enhanced international cooperation and improved port security protocols, law enforcement agencies are demonstrating their capacity to intercept even the most sophisticated smuggling attempts.
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