The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a vessel, MV Nord Bosporus (IMO 9760110), arriving from the port of Santos, Brazil, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, officers discovered 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the ship’s cargo.
Babafemi noted that the seizure follows a similar case six months earlier when 10 Thai sailors were convicted and fined $4.3 million for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The illicit shipment on MV Nord Bosporus was detected by NDLEA operatives on Sunday, November 16, prompting the arrest of the ship’s master and 19 other crew members, all Filipino nationals, for further investigation.
“The Agency filed an application for the detention of both the vessel and the 20 crew members,” Babafemi stated. “Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, granted an initial 14-day detention order on Thursday, November 20.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that this was the ship’s first voyage to Nigeria and Africa, primarily transporting coal between Colombia and Brazil, while Captain Corpus had been with the vessel for only three months.
NDLEA recalled a prior arrest on October 13, 2021, involving 10 Thai sailors aboard MV Chayanee Naree, who were caught trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil to Nigeria through Apapa seaport. Nine Nigerian suspects were also detained. The Federal High Court later convicted and fined the crew and vessel $4.3 million on May 15, 2025.
Reacting to the recent seizure, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for their professionalism and vigilance.
He described the operation as a demonstration of NDLEA’s enhanced capacity and commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders.
“We will continue to tighten control over all entry and exit points, especially seaports that have been historically exploited by transnational criminal networks,” Marwa said.
He added, “Let this serve as a clear warning to international drug cartels and local collaborators: Nigeria will not be used as a foothold for illicit trade. The NDLEA operates with zero tolerance, and no drug will pass through our borders undetected, whether by land, air, or sea. Sophisticated concealment will fail against our intelligence network and the dedication of our officers.”
Marwa also cautioned Nigerians tempted to collaborate with foreign syndicates, emphasizing the severity of legal consequences for aiding drug trafficking.
“We are committed to dismantling criminal networks, seizing illicit assets, and ensuring long-term incarceration for offenders,” he said, underscoring the agency’s unwavering resolve to protect the nation from the scourge of illicit drugs.