Lagos: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully obtained a Federal High Court order in Lagos to detain a vessel, its captain, and 20 crew members. This follows the discovery of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the ship.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement from Abuja that the cocaine was found in the hatch of a commodity vessel arriving from Brazil. The seizure was carried out by NDLEA operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
Babafemi stated that the NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, discovered the cocaine consignment on December 6 aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil. After the ship’s cargo was fully discharged, 21 crew members of various nationalities, including Russia, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, were taken into custody along with the drug exhibits.
He highlighted that this seizure follows another interception by NDLEA officers of a similar vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, which was laden with 20 kg of cocaine buried under its cargo on November 16 at the Apapa seaport.
In accordance with international legal protocols, the NDLEA filed an ex-parte application on December 12 for the detention of the ship and its crew, pending the filing of charges. Justice Frida Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the order, extending the detention of the vessel and crew for 14 days initially.
Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, NDLEA Chairman, responded to the development by emphasizing that this seizure sends a strong message to international drug cartels and their local partners that Nigeria will not be a foothold for their operations. Marwa praised the Apapa Strategic Command officers for their successful operations, underscoring NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting drug syndicates targeting the West African region.