GON REPORTS SEIZURE OF 14.2 TONS OF COCAINE,

UNCLAS ABUJA 001436 SIPDIS DEPT FOR INL/AAE LAGOS FOR INL,DEA and FBI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PREL NI NARCOTICS SUBJECT: GON REPORTS SEIZURE OF 14.2 TONS OF COCAINE, BUT SUBSTANCE AND FACTS NOT YET VERIFIED ¶1. UNCLASSIFIED - ENTIRE TEXT. ¶2. The Nigerian press reported June 10 that the NDELA had seized 14.2 tons of cocaine at Lagos' Tin Can Island Port; the largest such seizure in Africa. However, according to DEA CA Lagos, only a few samples of the shipment, marked "white cement," have been field tested. Although positive for cocaine derivative, until the cocaine is chemically separated from the cement, (which the NDLEA cannot do),it is impossible to determine the actual weight and nature of the seizure. ¶3. Despite the obvious exaggeration and uncertainty of the facts, DEA CA has called the seizure a "good international cooperative effort." Although the press quoted the Attorney General as commending the South Africa Police Service and the British Serious Organized Crime Agency, DEA CA says DEA and NDLEA have been "working on this container for two months." Samples from the container, which apparently originated in Peru, will be sent to the DEA Special Testing Laboratory in Virginia for evaluation. ANYASO