The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a joint investigation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK-NCA) to uncover the international drug cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine intercepted at the PTML Terminal, Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
This was contained in a statement by the agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the massive drug haul, worth over $235 million (₦338 billion) in the international market, was discovered last weekend in an empty container by port operators, who promptly alerted relevant security agencies, including NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Following a joint examination, NDLEA’s field tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine.
The consignment was subsequently handed over to the NDLEA on Tuesday, November 11, for further investigation, after consultations between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.
In view of the scale of the seizure and its cross-border implications, Marwa directed that NDLEA’s international partners be fully involved in the probe.
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Responding swiftly, officers from the US-DEA and UK-NCA have joined the ongoing investigation into what is now considered the largest single cocaine seizure at Tin Can Port.
Marwa emphasised the importance of international collaboration in ensuring that all those connected to the consignment are identified and brought to justice, regardless of their location.
“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned and every gap is sufficiently covered so that ultimately we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book wherever they are across the globe,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA Chief also commended the cooperation of the Customs Service in the operation, describing the joint effort as an example of effective inter-agency synergy in combating transnational organized crime.
