LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced a major breakthrough in its fight against international narcotics trafficking following the dismantling of an international cocaine cartel operating through Nigeria.
The agency said a wanted drug kingpin was arrested in Lagos as officers intensified efforts to disrupt a network involved in the movement of large quantities of cocaine through Nigeria.
The latest operation highlights the growing focus on suspected drug kingpins and senior members of trafficking organizations rather than targeting only couriers.
According to the NDLEA, the investigation uncovered an international trafficking network that allegedly used Nigeria as a transit hub for cocaine shipments.
Law-enforcement officials are continuing investigations to identify other members of the network and determine the full extent of its international operations.
Lagos remains a major focus of Nigeria's anti-narcotics operations because of its international airport, seaports and extensive commercial connections.
The NDLEA has continued to conduct intelligence-led operations at airports, ports, courier facilities and other strategic locations across the country.
The latest arrests demonstrate the increasing pressure being placed on transnational drug trafficking organizations operating through West Africa.
Authorities say the fight against organized narcotics trafficking will continue, with cooperation between Nigerian agencies and international law-enforcement partners remaining critical to dismantling cross-border criminal networks.
