NDLEA Partners with US, UK Agencies to Probe ₦338 Billion Cocaine Cartel
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is working with law enforcement agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom to trace and dismantle the international cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine valued at over ₦338 billion.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NDLEA said the illicit substance was discovered at the PTML Terminal of Tincan Island Port, Lagos, concealed in an empty container over the weekend.
According to the agency, terminal operators raised the alarm after noticing irregularities in the shipment, prompting a joint operation involving the NDLEA, Nigerian Customs Service, and other port security agencies.
Following a thorough inspection, the container was found to contain blocks of a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine. The drugs were officially handed over to the NDLEA on Tuesday after confirmatory field and laboratory tests.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the agency is now collaborating with its international partners to track the syndicate members responsible for the shipment, adding that preliminary intelligence suggests the network operates across multiple continents.
“This seizure represents a major breakthrough in our ongoing offensive against transnational drug trafficking syndicates. Working with our partners in the US and UK, we are determined to identify, arrest, and prosecute everyone linked to this cartel,” Babafemi stated.
The NDLEA has intensified surveillance and intelligence-sharing arrangements with global anti-narcotics agencies in recent months, following several major cocaine and methamphetamine interceptions at Nigerian ports and airports.
Authorities say the latest discovery underscores the increasing sophistication of international drug trafficking rings and the importance of cross-border collaboration in combating the menace.
As investigations continue, the NDLEA has assured that those behind the ₦338 billion shipment will be “brought to justice, no matter where they are hiding.”
