The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority has issued a detailed response to recent Nigerian media reports claiming that a Sierra Leone-linked container — container GCNU1332851 — was discovered to contain cocaine at a Nigerian port. The Authority emphasises that it has received no formal notification from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) confirming those media claims, and that it has officially requested full information from the NPA while awaiting a formal response.
The container in question is a standard 20-foot dry container, according to verified movement records and confirmations from the shipping company Grimaldi and the container terminal operator FTL at the Port of Freetown. According to the records, the container was discharged into the Port of Freetown from the Grande Atlantico on September 13, 2025. It was then delivered in its entirety to the consignee in Freetown on October 8, 2025, and returned empty to FTL’s terminal on October 11, 2025.
Prior to the container departing from Sierra Leone, additional inspection and sealing procedures were documented. On October 24, 2025, the crew of the vessel Grande Ghana 0225 inspected the container at the Port of Freetown and sealed it before loading it onto the vessel. The gross weight recorded at the time of loading was 2,200 kg, which corresponds to the standard weight for an empty 20-foot container.
The chief officer of the vessel signed a loading report documenting the container’s empty status. The loading report documenting the container’s empty status was signed by the vessel’s Chief Officer.
Grimaldi’s operations in Nigeria validate the vessel’s arrival and container handling schedule. The Grande Ghana docked in Lagos at 23:38 on October 29, 2025, and shipboard operations began at 00:40 on October 30. According to Grimaldi, container GCNU1332851 was discharged empty in Lagos on 30 October 2025 at 13:00, with vessel-side operations ending on 31 October 2025 at 19:00. Grimaldi China/Nigeria also stated that the container was “flagged” in Lagos on November 7, 2025, eight days after the reported discharge.
“While Nigerian media outlets have reported that cocaine was found in the container, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority reiterates that it has not been formally notified of any such discovery by the Nigeria Ports Authority. The Authority has taken proactive steps to obtain official documentation and clarification from Nigerian officials, and will provide additional information to the public once formal confirmation is received,” the statement reads.
