Nigeria’s crackdown on drug trafficking intensifies as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) secures a Federal High Court order in Lagos to detain a Brazilian merchant vessel, its captain, and 20 crew members.
The dramatic seizure unfolded after NDLEA operatives, tipped off by credible intelligence, uncovered 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hatch of the MV San Antonio at Apapa Port on December 6, 2025.
The vessel had just fully discharged its cargo from Brazil when authorities moved in. Among the 21 detained crew - hailing from diverse nations like Russia, Philippines, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan - no one escaped scrutiny.
This is coming on the heels of a similar interception by NDLEA officers of another commodity laden vessel - MV Nord Bosporus from the port of Santos in Brazil with no less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo on 16th November at the Apapa Seaport, Lagos, a press release signed by Femi Babafemi,
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, reveals.
Suspects taken into custody along with the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Master of the vessel, Trofymov Oleksandr; and other crew members namely: Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem; Blanco Crus Veloso; Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao; Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano; Toston Romulo Jr. Oling; Smirnov Viacheslav; Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong; Cruz John Vhoie Glavez; Sablan Jamille Alorro; Abesia Kelvin Belarmino; and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.
The press statement also explains that in line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday 12th December filed an ex-parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges will be filed against them.
Ruling on the application, the judge said “an order of court is hereby made extending the detention of the Vessel MV San Antonio being investigated by the Applicant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for fourteen days (14) in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said Vessel on 6th December, 2025 at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.”
The court, the statement also said, thereafter adjourned the matter to 29th December 2025.
In his reaction to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) said the latest seizure reinforces his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that they will never get a foothold in Nigeria.
While commending the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command of the Agency for the back-to-back successful operations, he said “this is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve to frustrate the drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region, especially Nigeria.”
He said the Agency will continue to collaborate with local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
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