In a major crackdown, the Nigeria Customs Service at the PTML (Port and Terminal Multiservices Ltd.) command announced the interception of a cocaine consignment valued at ₦29.4 billion. The seizure was confirmed by Comptroller Joe Anani, who revealed that the haul was discovered during a routine disinfection of empty containers on October 7, 2025.
The container, a 20-foot unit numbered GCNU1332851, arrived from Freetown, Sierra Leone, and was part of a batch of 39 empty containers destined for export.
Inside the Seizure
Customs officers, working in concert with the NDLEA, DSS, Police Anti-Bomb Squad, and other security agencies, opened up the container and uncovered 50 packages, each containing 20 parcels. Rapid testing confirmed the substance as cocaine.
In total, the consignment weighed 1,000 kilograms — a full tonne.
A “Mysterious” Operation
What makes this bust particularly unusual is that the container arrived as an empty unit, with no declared consignee. Comptroller Anani described the interception as one of the most “mysterious” in the history of the Customs Service.
No arrests have been made yet, due in part to the absence of clear ownership or documentation for the container.
A United Front: Inter-Agency Collaboration
The terminal operator’s vigilance in spotting the suspicious packages was crucial. Once alerted, multiple security agencies quickly mounted a joint inspection, underscoring strong cooperation at the port.
Anani praised their combined efforts and reaffirmed the command’s resolve to make PTML a “no-go area” for illegal imports.
What Happens Next
The seized cocaine has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a deeper investigation.
Strategic Commander Daniel Onyishi of the NDLEA (Tincan Island Command) described the operation as unprecedented and said work is already underway to trace the origin and network behind the shipment.
Global Implications: Cartel Probe Launched
The NDLEA is not acting alone: the agency is collaborating with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate the cartel behind this massive drug import.
What This Means for Nigeria
This bust signals a dangerous and sophisticated attempt by drug traffickers to exploit export channels and empty shipping containers. At the same time, the rapid response by Customs and other agencies demonstrates a growing capacity and commitment to securing Nigeria’s ports.
The fact that the container arrived blank, with no clear consignee, raises serious questions about supply chain transparency and the effectiveness of inspections. If orchestrated by an international cartel, the implications could stretch far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The ongoing investigations will be closely watched — both for how they unravel the smuggling network and for how they influence future port security policy. With several agencies working in unison, there is hope that this case could lead to major breakthroughs in disrupting transnational drug trafficking.
