₦338bn Cocaine Bust: NDLEA, US, UK Agencies Launch Joint Global Investigation
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is working with its counterparts in the United States and the United Kingdom, to unravel the cartel behind the importation of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine worth more than ₦338 billion recovered at the PTML Terminal of Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
A statement issued by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said that the cocaine was discovered in an empty container at a terminal over the weekend.
Terminal operators alerted the NDLEA and other port security agencies, which jointly examined the consignment.
The drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA on Tuesday after tests confirmed the substance was cocaine.
As a result of the large quantity of the recovered Class A drug, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa on Tuesday directed that the Agency’s leading international partners be involved in the investigation.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) are involved in the investigation.
“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned… so that ultimately we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book, wherever they are located across the globe,” Marwa said.
