Nigeria, U.S., U.K. launch joint investigation into $235 million cocaine seizure at Lagos Port
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency has launched a joint investigation with U.S. and U.K. authorities into the origin and global network behind a record-breaking $235 million cocaine seizure at Tincan Island Port, Lagos, officials said on Tuesday.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that 1,000 kilograms of cocaine were discovered in an empty shipping container at a private terminal over the weekend — one of the largest narcotics seizures in Nigeria’s history
Terminal operators reportedly alerted the NDLEA and other port security agencies after noticing irregularities during routine inspections. The container was subsequently searched and sealed as evidence.
NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, confirmed that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had joined the probe following an official request from the Nigerian government.
“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned,” Marwa said.
Ultimately, we want to ensure that all masterminds behind this huge consignment are brought to justice — wherever they are located across the globe.”
According to NDLEA sources, laboratory analysis confirmed the white substance was pure cocaine, and the consignment has been formally handed over to the agency’s investigative team.
Major Crackdown on Transnational Drug Syndicates.
The seizure underscores Nigeria’s growing role as both a transit and destination hub for global cocaine trafficking, as cartels increasingly exploit West African shipping routes for large-scale smuggling operations.
Security analysts say the latest operation reflects NDLEA’s strengthened coordination with international law enforcement agencies amid rising concerns about organised crime, money laundering, and cross-border trafficking in the region.
Under Marwa’s leadership, the NDLEA has intensified efforts to dismantle drug cartels and disrupt their financing networks, with several record seizures made since 2021.
The Tincan Port bust has also reignited debate about port security and customs oversight in Nigeria’s maritime sector — a key entry point for both legitimate trade and illicit cargo.
Authorities say enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing arrangements are now being implemented across Nigeria’s seaports to prevent future incidents.
Global Implications
The joint Nigeria-U.S.-U.K. probe is expected to trace the shipment’s origins, transit points, and intended destinations, potentially exposing a wider transnational trafficking network operating across multiple continents.
Officials said the investigation aims not only to prosecute local collaborators but also to identify foreign sponsors and financiers involved in the $235 million cocaine deal.
