Nigeria’s anti-narcotics enforcement agency confirmed Tuesday that a major international investigation is now underway.
The agency is actively collaborating with its American and British counterparts to dismantle the cartel responsible for importing a colossal quantity of illegal drugs.
Authorities discovered 1,000 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside an empty container at a port in Lagos last weekend.
This massive seizure carries an estimated street value exceeding 338 billion naira (roughly equivalent to $235 million). It represents one of the single largest drug seizures in the nation’s history.
Global Law Enforcement Joins the Probe
The anti-narcotics agency promptly requested international assistance. Femi Babafemi, a spokesperson for the agency, issued a statement confirming the collaboration.
He noted that officers from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) “have already joined the ongoing investigation.” The cooperation targets the largest single seizure of cocaine ever recorded at the Tincan Port in Lagos.
Port operators initially found the suspicious consignment. They immediately alerted security agencies. The illegal drugs were formally transferred to the anti-narcotics agency on Tuesday for forensic investigation.
West Africa’s Trafficking Hub
Nigeria holds significance as a major transit center for narcotics across the West African region. The country has also gradually become recognized as a key producer of illicit drugs.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, the chairman of the anti-narcotics agency, emphasized the global nature of the investigation.
He stated that collaborating with international partners ensures “no stone is left unturned.” The goal is to cover “every gap… so that ultimately we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book wherever they are located across the globe.”
This joint effort aims to identify and dismantle the transnational criminal networks exploiting West African ports for global drug trafficking.
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