The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a joint investigation with the United States and United Kingdom authorities following the interception of 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at over ₦338 billion, at the PTML Terminal of the Tincan Island Port, Lagos.

According to a statement issued by the NDLEA on Tuesday, the drugs were discovered in an empty container at the weekend after terminal operators alerted the agency and other port security units.

Following a joint examination, the consignment was confirmed to contain cocaine and formally handed over to the NDLEA.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), said he had directed that the Agency’s international partners—the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA)—be brought into the investigation due to the scale of the seizure.

“The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned so that we can ultimately bring all those behind this huge consignment to justice, wherever they may be across the globe,” Mr. Marwa said.

The seizure, one of the largest in recent years, marks another major success in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against international narcotics trafficking.