By Alusine Sesay
November 2025: The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has addressed media reports from Nigeria alleging that a container linked to Sierra Leone was found with cocaine at a Nigerian port.
In a statement, the Authority clarified that it has not received any formal notification from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) confirming the claims. It has, however, formally requested official information from its Nigerian counterpart and is awaiting a response.
Container Movement Records
The Authority, citing verified records from the shipping company Grimaldi and the Container Terminal Operator (FTL) in Freetown, explained that the container in question (GCNU1332851) left Sierra Leone empty.
Key details provided include:
The 20ft dry container was discharged at the Port of Freetown on September 13, 2025, from the vessel Grande Atlentico.
It was delivered full to the consignee on October 8, 2025, and returned empty to FTL’s terminal on October 11, 2025.
On October 24, 2025, the Grande Ghana 0225 crew inspected the container, sealed it, and confirmed its empty status before loading.
The container weighed 2,200kg, the standard weight for an empty 20ft container.
It departed Freetown empty aboard Grande Ghana 0225 en route to Lagos via Cotonou.
Grimaldi Nigeria further confirmed that the vessel berthed in Lagos on October 29, 2025, and that the container was discharged empty on October 30, 2025. Notably, the container was flagged in Lagos on November 7, 2025—eight days after it had been discharged.
Authority’s Position
The Ports Authority emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability in port operations, stressing that the records clearly show the container left Sierra Leone empty and was discharged in Lagos in the same condition.
This clarification comes amid heightened regional concerns over drug trafficking through West African ports. Sierra Leone, like many coastal nations, has faced scrutiny in recent years as international crime syndicates exploit maritime routes for smuggling narcotics. The government has pledged to strengthen monitoring systems and enhance cooperation with regional and international partners to safeguard its ports.
The incident highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration between port authorities in West Africa, particularly as synthetic drugs and cocaine trafficking continue to pose serious threats to public health and security across the region.