by Femi Anamelechi
In what will go down in the history of Nigeria Custom Service Service, controller of Port Terminal Multi services Limited ( PTML ) Comptroller Joe Anani has unveiled the interception of Cocaine100Kg with over 29 billion DPVThe Customs Area Controller of PTML Command Joe Anani disclosed this during a Media briefing on Tuesday 11th 2025 at Command’s office in Apapa, Lagos. speaking to the media during the unwilling, he said :” I wish to inform the public and all stakeholders of a significant interception carried out at the Port and Terminal Multi services Limited (PTML).”The CAC pointed out that the unusual interception of the illicit drugs was made on the 7th of October, 2025, following PTML terminal operator notification to the Command that 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.
According to Computer Joe Anani the command upon the credible notifications immediately conducted joint examination on the container with sister government agencies including the NDLEA, Department of State Service, Police Anti Bomb Squad and others. He disclosed that atotal of 50 packages containing 20 parcels each were found inside the container. Rapid tests conducted on the substances found in the container tested positive to cocaine and it was jointly weighed with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency The illicit drugs were found to be 1000kg (1 tonne) with a duty paid value (DPV) of a twenty nine billion, four hundred and three million, seven hundred and thirty eight thousand naira only (₦29,403,738,000).The officers PTML Command further conducted a Joint examination with other sister Agencies CAD Joe Anani disclosed that preliminary investigation on the history of the movement of the container obtained from the terminal operator pointed out that the containers were loaded on a vessel as an empty container from Freetown, Sierra Leone.He further pointed out that:’No arrest was made as there was no consignee in respect of the container arriving Nigeria since it did not come as import.
‘The terminal operators brought it empty to be used for conveyance of export goods.He highlighted that the interception of the Cocaine drugs marks the first seizure of illicit drugs in PTML’s history and is one of the most mysterious cocaine interceptions in the service’s record.”Secondly, 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. According to him, the discovery was first made by PTML Terminal, who alerted us of the unusual packages laden in a purported empty container from Sierra Leone. He emphatically expressed the appreciation of PTML Command to other relevant agencies for their cooperation :”This seizure further underscores the cooperation and collaboration we enjoy as a command with our terminal operator and sister agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, DSS and others.”He commended the terminal operators for promptly reporting the infractions and for their continued cooperation with security agencies throughout the investigation.
He further reaffirmed that PTML commando is committed to collaborate with all port agencies to safeguard the nation’s ports and ensure the integrity of export trade. CAC Joe Anani reminded port users and stakeholders that PTML will continually be a no go area for items prohibited from import and export and reiterated that “We shall continue to uncover them in the course of our duties. “He on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, handed over the seizure to Strategy Commander Daniel Ogbonna OnyeIshi the representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.Commander Daniel Ogbonna Onyeshi expressed the gratitude of NDLEA to NCS for the roost work relationship and warned drug smugglers to desist from their illegal activities.
