The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday unveiled a major drug bust after intercepting a container laden with cocaine worth N29.4 billion at the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) in Apapa, Lagos.
The illicit shipment, weighing one tonne, was discovered in a 20-foot container identified as GCNU1332851, which had arrived from Freetown, Sierra Leone.
According to the Customs Controller at PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, the seizure was made possible through intelligence provided by the port’s management.
Anani told journalists at the Command’s office that the container was flagged during a routine disinfection exercise on October 7.
“The interception followed a report from the PTML terminal operator, who found suspicious packages inside one of 39 empty containers meant for export,” he said.
“The terminal operator immediately alerted the Command, leading to a joint examination with officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police Anti-Bomb Squad and other security agencies,” he added.
During the inspection, officials uncovered 50 packages, each containing 20 parcels. Rapid tests confirmed the contents as cocaine, with a total weight of 1,000 kilograms and a duty-paid value of N29,403,738,000.
Anani clarified that the container did not enter Nigeria as part of an import consignment but was among empty containers brought in by the terminal operator for export purposes.
“This remains one of the most unusual cocaine interceptions in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service. Investigations are ongoing to identify those connected with the importation and clearance of the container,” he said.
The Comptroller commended the PTML terminal operator for promptly reporting the discovery and praised the collaboration among security agencies.
He noted that the seizure demonstrated the vigilance and synergy between the Customs Service, port operators and other security bodies.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve, Anani said the NCS would continue to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s ports and ensure PTML remains off-limits to traffickers and smugglers. A brief handover ceremony was later conducted at the PTML Port, during which the seized cocaine was formally transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation.
