Customs Uncover One tonne Cocaine Shipment Hidden in Empty Container
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, has uncovered one tonne of cocaine concealed in a container falsely declared as empty, marking the Command’s first-ever drug interception in a historic joint security operation.
Speaking during a press conference at the Command headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, 11 October 2025, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, disclosed that the illicit substance was discovered on 7 October 2025 following a report from the PTML terminal operator.
According to him, the operator had raised suspicion during the disinfection of 39 empty containers scheduled for export loading after discovering unusual packages in one of them, identified as container number GCNU1332851.
“The Command immediately conducted a joint examination with officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Police Anti-Bomb Squad, and others,” Anani explained.
“A total of 50 packages containing 20 parcels each were found inside the container. Rapid tests conducted on the substance tested positive to cocaine and it was jointly weighed with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The total weight of the substance was found to be 1000kg (1 tonne),” he added.
Comptroller Anani revealed that the container was loaded as empty at its last port of call in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and had no consignee or importer linked to its arrival in Nigeria.
He noted that no arrest had been made as the container did not arrive in the country as an import consignment but was brought in by the terminal operator purely for export use.
Comptroller Anani commended the PTML terminal operators for promptly reporting the anomaly and maintaining cooperation throughout the investigation, describing the discovery as “one of the most mysterious cocaine interceptions in the Service’s record.”
He further acknowledged the synergy between Customs and sister agencies, noting that the operation reflects the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s ports and ensuring the integrity of maritime trade.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, Comptroller Anani handed over the seizure to representatives of the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action.
The Strategic Commander of the NDLEA, Daniel Onyishi, commended the NCS for the robust working relationship and warned drug traffickers to desist from their illegal activities, assuring continued cooperation between both agencies in combating narcotics smuggling.