The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has initiated a joint investigation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to uncover those responsible for importing 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at more than $235 million (approximately ₦338 billion). The illicit shipment was intercepted at the PTML Terminal of the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said operators at the PTML Terminal discovered the drug-filled container among empty ones and immediately informed relevant port authorities, including the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service, prompting a joint inspection.
Babafemi explained that field tests carried out by NDLEA operatives confirmed the seized substance to be cocaine, after which the consignment was taken into the agency’s custody on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
He said, “The NDLEA is working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency to unravel the cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine 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 the NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies for a joint examination.
After a field test by the NDLEA confirmed the shipment to be cocaine, the consignment was formally transferred to NDLEA custody for further investigation on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, following collaborative engagements between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), and the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.”
Babafemi noted that the confiscated cocaine, worth over $235 million (about ₦338 billion), represents the largest single seizure of the drug ever recorded at Tin Can Port.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency invited its international partners due to the magnitude of the discovery and the suspected involvement of a global trafficking network.
Officers from the U.S. DEA and the U.K. NCA have since joined the investigation.
The statement added, “As a result of the large quantity of the recovered Class A drug, which is worth over $235m (over N338bn) on the international market, and the global dimension to the cocaine cartel, Marwa on Tuesday, November 11, 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.”
On Sunday, the NDLEA also announced the arrest of several suspects involved in drug-related crimes, including a wanted drug kingpin, Yussuf Azeez, who was captured at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
The 40-year-old suspect was apprehended on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
According to Marwa, the agency has, over the past 30 months, seized 8.5 million kilogrammes of narcotics, arrested at least 45,853 suspects, and secured 9,263 convictions.
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