Lagos, Nigeria — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of a massive cocaine shipment valued at ₦29.4 billion (approximately Le468 Billion), traced to a container that originated from Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The seizure was made by officers of the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command in Lagos.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, the PTML Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, revealed that the illicit consignment was discovered following a report by the terminal operator during a routine export inspection.
According to him, one of the 39 empty containers scheduled for loading was found to contain suspicious packages.
“The container, a 20-foot unit with serial number GCNU1332851, had arrived from Freetown, Sierra Leone. During a mandatory disinfection and inspection exercise, the terminal operator observed some unusual packages and immediately notified the Customs Command,” Anani explained.
He added that a joint examination team—comprising officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Anti-Bomb Squad, and other relevant security agencies—was quickly assembled to investigate.
The inspection uncovered 50 packages, each containing 20 tightly wrapped parcels of white powdery substance. Field tests later confirmed the substance to be cocaine. In total, 1,000 kilograms (one metric tonne) of cocaine were seized, with a duty paid value estimated at ₦29,403,738,000 (approximately Le468 Billion).
Comptroller Anani emphasized that the seizure highlights the vigilance and coordination of Nigeria’s port security system.
He credited the success to strong inter-agency collaboration and the commitment of Customs officers to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders from drug traffickers.
“This operation demonstrates our zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug trafficking. The Command remains committed to protecting our ports from criminal infiltration and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a transit point for narcotics,” Anani stated.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to trace the origin of the shipment and identify those responsible for the trafficking network. The NCS has also pledged to work closely with international partners, including Sierra Leonean authorities, to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
The interception marks one of the largest drug busts in Nigeria’s maritime history and has sparked renewed concern over West Africa’s growing role as a transit hub for global cocaine trafficking.
Since the business man from Sierra Leone has stayed in Nigeria, Every drug is going to entry in country (NIGERIA) because the business man from Sierra Leone is there, Which is The EBK enterprises ETC I rest my case….