By Erewunmi Peace

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is working closely with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to uncover the cartel responsible for the importation of over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine recovered at the Lagos Port.

The illicit substance, valued at over ₦338 billion, was intercepted last week at the PTML Terminal, Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos during a joint operation based on intelligence reports. According to the NDLEA, the drugs were concealed inside a container declared “empty,” prompting investigators to suspect high-level international coordination.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), said the scale of the seizure points to a sophisticated network operating across multiple countries.

“Given the volume and concealment method used, it is clear this shipment did not originate from a small group. We are partnering with the DEA and NCA to identify the cartel members and dismantle their operations,”
Marwa said in a statement.

He added that preliminary findings suggested the consignment may have transited through several countries before arriving in Nigeria, a tactic commonly used by major drug trafficking syndicates.

Security experts say the bust is one of the largest cocaine seizures in Nigerian history, signalling a growing attempt by foreign cartels to use West African ports for transnational drug trafficking.

The NDLEA confirmed that the container and port records are under forensic review while international agencies trace communication, shipping manifests, and financial flows linked to the shipment.

Authorities said no arrests have been made yet, but “significant persons of interest” have already been identified both in Nigeria and abroad.

Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency, in partnership with global intelligence networks, will not relent until the culprits are exposed and prosecuted.