Following media reports from the Federal Republic of Nigeria alleging that a container (GCNU1332851) linked to Sierra Leone was found with cocaine at a Nigeria port, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) in a news release on Thursday 14th November 2025 provided clarity to the public by sharing the verified movement records and information from Grimaldi and the Container Terminal Operator (FTL) from the Port of Freetown to Nigeria as follows:- "The container is a (normal) 'dry' 20ft container; the 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 in Freetown; it returned empty to FTL's Terminal on October 11, 2025; Grande Ghana 0225 crew inspected the said container at the Port of Freetown and placed a seal on it on the 24th October 2025 before it was loaded onto the vessel; the weight of the container at the time of loading was 2,290kg (being the standard weight for 20ft empty container; it departed Freetown empty on 24th October 2025 aboard the vessel Grande Ghana 0225 enroute to Lagos via Cotonou."

The SLPHA further obtained information from Grimaldi (Nigeria), which confirms the following: "That the vessel berthed in Lagos on 29th October 2025 (23:35); that operation started on the vessel on 30th October 2025 (00:40); that the container was discharged EMPTY on the 30th October 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria; that the operation ended on the 31st October 2025 (19:00); it further confirmed that the container was flagged on 7th November 2025 in Lagis, Nigeria (eight (8) days after it was discharged).

Meanwhile, the Authority has formally requested official information from the National Ports Authority (NPA) and is awaiting a response, while the shipping company responsible for the container, Grimaldi, has confirmed that the said container left the shores of Sierra Leone EMPTY and was discharged at the Port of Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Port I'm Lagos in the same condition EMPTY.
See Press Release from SLPHA Below:.

PRESS RELEASE
SIERRA LEONE PORTS AND HARBOURS AUTHORITY ADDRESSES ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING CONTAINER REPORTED IN NIGERIA
The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (the Authority) has taken note of media reports from Nigeria alleging that a container (GCNU1332851) linked to Sierra Leone was found with cocaine at a Nigerian Port.
The Authority wishes to clarify that it has not received any formal notification from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) confirming these claims.

However, the Authority has formally requested official information from the NPA and is awaiting a response.

In the meantime, the shipping company responsible for the container, Grimaldi, has confirmed that the said container left the shores of Sierra Leone empty and was discharged at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Port in Lagos in the same condition (empty).
To provide clarity to the public, the Authority wishes to share the verified movement records and information from Grimaldi and the Container Terminal Operator (FTL) from the Port of Freetown as follows:
1. The container is a (normal) 'dry' 20ft container
2. The container was discharged at the Port of Freetown on September 13th 2025, from the vessel Grande Atlentico
3. It was delivered full to the consignee on October 8th 2025, in Freetown
4. It was returned empty to FTL's terminal on October 11th 2025
5. Grande Ghana 0225 crew inspected the said container at the Port of Freetown and placed a seal on it on the 24th October, 2025 before it was loaded onto the vessel
6. The weight of the container at the time of loading was 2,200kg (being the standard weight for 20ft empty container)
7. The loading report was duly signed by the Chief Officer Of the Vessel confirming the status of the said container (empty)
8. It departed Freetown empty on 24th October 2025 aboard the vessel Grande Ghana 0225 enroute to Lagos via Cotonou
The Authority is further seized of information from Grimaldi (Nigeria) which confirms the following:
1. That the Vessel berthed in Lagos on 29th October, 2025 (23:38)
2. That operations started on the vessel on 30th October, 2025 (00:40)
3. That the container was discharged empty on the 30th October, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria (13:00)
4. That the operation ended on the 31st October, 2025 (19:00)
5. It further confirmed that the container was flagged on 7th November, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria (eight days after it was discharged)
The Authority remains committed to transparent and accountable port operations.
Signed,
Management
14/11/2025