The NDLEA, US, UK agencies investigate 1,000kg cocaine seizure at Lagos port case has drawn significant international attention as authorities intensify efforts to uncover the cartel behind one of Nigeria’s largest-ever narcotics interceptions. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed that it is collaborating with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to probe the importation of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine recently seized at the PTML Terminal of Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the massive drug haul was discovered over the weekend when port operators stumbled upon suspicious packages inside an empty container. They quickly alerted NDLEA officials, Nigerian Customs, and other relevant security agencies. Preliminary field analysis confirmed that the substance was cocaine, after which the consignment was officially taken into NDLEA custody on November 11, 2025. The operation was a coordinated effort involving NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi.
General Marwa described the bust as a monumental victory in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking. He emphasized that the seizure, valued at over $235 million—equivalent to approximately ₦338 billion—underscores the importance of international collaboration. “The essence of partnering with our foreign allies is to ensure that every link in the drug trafficking chain is identified and dismantled. This joint investigation ensures that no mastermind escapes justice, no matter where they are across the globe,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA, US, UK agencies investigate 1,000kg cocaine seizure at Lagos port probe is being hailed as the most significant single cocaine discovery ever made at the Tincan Island Port. Investigators from the DEA and NCA have since joined NDLEA operatives to trace the origins of the shipment and the networks that orchestrated the smuggling attempt. The ongoing inquiry aims to expose and disrupt the international syndicate believed to be responsible for moving narcotics into West Africa.
According to NDLEA sources, the partnership with US and UK agencies is part of a broader initiative to enhance intelligence sharing, strengthen enforcement capacity, and close gaps in Nigeria’s border surveillance systems. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in its fight against global drug cartels operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
In a related development, the NDLEA also recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious drug kingpin, Yussuf Abayomi Azeez, aged 40, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on November 9, 2025. The suspect was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia under the guise of performing Umrah. His arrest followed months of intense surveillance by NDLEA operatives.
Babafemi disclosed that Yussuf’s capture directly led to the dismantling of a secret laboratory located in Lekki, Lagos, where synthetic cannabis—popularly called “Colorado”—was being produced. The suspect had previously been arrested and charged with drug-related crimes in the United Kingdom but absconded after being granted bail. Upon fleeing to Nigeria, he reportedly reestablished his drug network and set up a large-scale production facility in the Lekki area.
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA officers raided his residence and operational base at 17 Vincent Eku Street, Ogombo, Lekki, in the early hours of November 6, 2025. During the operation, Yussuf was arrested alongside his associate, Abideen Kekere-Ekun, aged 43. The Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring of the NDLEA successfully dismantled all laboratory equipment used for the production of the synthetic drugs.
Recovered materials included precursor chemicals and 148.3 kilograms of processed illicit substances.
This dual breakthrough—the NDLEA, US, UK agencies investigate 1,000kg cocaine seizure at Lagos port case and the Lekki laboratory bust—reflects Nigeria’s growing success in combating sophisticated drug syndicates. The NDLEA reaffirmed that its renewed international partnerships are critical in tracking and bringing to justice drug traffickers who exploit global trade routes.
The agency reiterated its resolve to continue collaborating with international partners such as the US DEA and UK NCA to ensure that Nigeria does not become a transit point or haven for drug cartels. With operations like these, the NDLEA’s message remains clear: there will be no hiding place for traffickers and their collaborators, whether within Nigeria or across borders.