Customs, Other Port Agencies Uncover Major Smuggling Attempt, Seize 1000kg of Cocaine at PTML

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), Comptroller Joe Anani has announced the interception of 1000kg Cocaine with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of twenty nine billion, four hundred and three million, seven hundred and thirty eight thousand naira only (₦29,403,738,000) in a joint operation with other Port Agencies.

Addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Comptroller Anani made this known, informing that the items were hidden in an inbound empty container from Freetown, Sierra Leone.

He explained that the significant interception was carried out in joint operation with other Port agencies including PTML Terminal Operator, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Service(DSS), Police Anti Bomb Squad and others.

The Area Controller said the discovery was first made by PTML Terminal Operator, who alerted the Command of the unusual packages laden in a purported empty container from Sierra Leone.

According to him, “On the 7th of October, 2025, the PTML terminal operator brought to the attention of the Command that in the process of disinfecting 39 empty containers that were brought into the country for loading of exports consignments, it discovered some suspicious items in a 1x20ft container number GCNU1332851”.

The Command swung into action immediately it received the intelligence, conducted joint examination on the container with sister security agencies including the NDLEA, Department of State Service, Police Anti Bomb Squad and others.

“A total of 50 packages containing 20 parcels each were found inside the container. Rapid tests conducted on the substances found in the container 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). The duty paid value (DPV) of this cocaine stands at twenty nine billion, four hundred and three million, seven hundred and thirty eight thousand naira only (₦29,403,738,000)”.

“All other containers Jointly examined by all other Port Agencies were empty and from our preliminary investigation, relying on the history of the movement of the container obtained from the terminal operator, it was loaded on a vessel as an empty container at the last port of call which is Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“No arrest was made as there was no consignee in respect of the container arriving Nigeria since it did not come as import. The terminal operators brought it empty to be used for conveyance of export goods,” the Area Controller said.

Anani stated further that the interception marks the first illicit drug seizure in PTML’s history and is one of the most mysterious cocaine interceptions in the service’s record.

While commending the terminal operators for their proactive approach and continued cooperation with security agencies throughout the investigation, the Command’s helmsman reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to continued collaboration with all port agencies to safeguard the nation’s ports and ensure the integrity of export trade.

“I want to use this opportunity to remind our port users and stakeholders that PTML is a no go area for items prohibited from import and export and we shall continue to uncover them in the course of our duties,” he added.

The Area Controller handed over the seized items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary actions.