Compt Anani led PTML Customs Intercepts 1tonne of Cocaine worth N29.4Bn found in an Empty Container for Export at Lagos Port
Comptroller Joe Anani addressing the media on the seizure
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ports and Terminal Multi-Purpose Limited (PTML) Command has recorded a symbolic interception involving quantum amount of Cocaine worth N29.4billion.
According to the vibrant Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, under whose watch the seizure was carried out, while making the disclosure to stakeholders at a press briefing, said the significant interception which was carried out at the PTML command on the 7th of October, 2025, involved a total of 50 packages containing 20 parcels found to weigh 1000kg (1tonne) with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Twenty Nine Billion, Four Hundred and Three Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand Naira Only (N29,403,738,000).
Explaining how the seizure came about, the CAC revealed that the PTML terminal operator brought to the attention of the Command how 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, and the command swiftly with immediate effect conducted joint examination on the container along with sister government agencies including the NDLEA, Department of State Service, Police Anti Bomb Squad, among others.
The examination process led to the discovery of a total of 50 packages containing 20 parcels each found inside the container and through Rapid tests conducted on the substances that were found in the container, they tested positive to cocaine.
The illicit substance were was however jointly weighed with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the total weight of the was found to be 1000kg (1 tonne), with a DPV of Twenty Nine Billion, Four Hundred and Three Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand Naira Only (N29,403,738,000).
Also, the press statement made available to the media by the Command’s Public Relations Officer CSC Abdullahi Abubakar also revealed that, all other containers jointly examined by all other port Agencies were empty.
“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”, Anani said.
He however stated that no arrest was made as there was no consignee in respect of the container arriving Nigeria since it did not come as import, noting that the terminal operators brought it empty to be used for conveyance of export goods.
The Seized Cocaine in the container
The CAC however made some points worthy to note about this seizure, as he said the seizure marks the first illicit drug seizure in PTML Command’s history, and as well making a record as one of the most mysterious cocaine interceptions in the service’s record.
Similarly, Comptroller Joe Anani stated that these illicit drugs did not come into the country as an import consignment, the container where the seizure was made was brought in by the terminal operator for export use.
Again, according to the CAC, “the discovery was first made by PTML Terminal, who alerted us of the unusual packages laden in a purported empty container from Sierra Leone”. While he put the fourth point to the fact that the seizure further underscores the cooperation and collaboration the command enjoy with its terminal operator and sister agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, DSS and others.
Anani however reiterated that in the history of PTML, this is the first time a hard drug of this category and quantity were uncovered, which makes it as one of the most mysterious interceptions of cocaine in the history of the service.
While the service commended the terminal operator for promptly reporting of the infractions and for their continued cooperation with security agencies throughout the investigation, the Comptroller Joe Anani led PTML Command’s management reaffirms its commitment to collaborate 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 will continually be a no go area for items prohibited from import and export and we shall continue to uncover them in the course of our duties”, Anani stated.
The elated Comptroller Anani however on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, handed over the seizure to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.
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