PTML Customs Hands Over N29.4bn Worth of Cocaine to NDLEA!

November 11, 2025 2 Min Read

Reported By Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) Command, has officially handed over cocaine valued at ₦29.4 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), marking one of the largest drug seizures at a seaport in recent years.

The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, at the PTML terminal in Lagos. The illicit substance — weighing 56.39kg — was discovered in a container marked CMAU 145817/0, declared as containing electrical appliances. The consignment was traced to a syndicate operating across Nigeria and South America.

“We remain vigilant. This handover is evidence of our synergy with sister agencies and our commitment to securing Nigeria’s ports,” said PTML Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf.

Key Points:

The cocaine originated from Brazil and was intercepted through intelligence collaboration.

PTML Customs detained the container and invited NDLEA for joint examination and confirmation.
One suspect is currently in custody, with investigations ongoing to uncover the full network behind the shipment.

Why It Matters:

The operation highlights growing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking through Nigerian ports.
It affirms increasing cooperation between security agencies like Customs, NDLEA, and international partners.
Cocaine trafficking poses major risks to national security, youth health, and Nigeria’s global trade credibility.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the Customs’ vigilance, calling the seizure a “critical success” in the ongoing war against narcotics.

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