NDLEA SECURES ORDER TO DETAIN VESSEL, 21 CREW MEMBERS OVER COCAINE SHIPMENT
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency got a court order from the Federal High Court in Lagos to hold a merchant ship, its captain, and 20 other crew members. This happened after they found 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hatch of the vessel, MV San Anthonio, which arrived at the Apapa seaport from Brazil on December 6, 2025.
Based on information they had, NDLEA officers found the drugs during a search.
Once the ship‘s cargo was unloaded, 21 crew members from different countries were arrested along with the seized cocaine.
The people detained include the ship‘s captain, Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members: 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 most recent interception came after an earlier seizure on November 16, when NDLEA officers stopped another ship, the MV Nord Bosporus, coming from the port of Santos in Brazil. They found about 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden under its cargo at the same seaport.
On Thursday, the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the agency followed international legal steps.
On December 12, they filed an ex parte application in case number FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 with Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi. The request was to keep the ship and its crew detained until the investigation is done and charges are filed.
“On Friday, December 12, NDLEA 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 14 days in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said Vessel on December 6, 2025 at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.’ The court thereafter adjourned the matter to 29th December 2025,” the statement partly read.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) said the seizure reaffirmed the agency’s position against international drug trafficking networks.
He commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the operations.
He said the agency would continue to work with local and international partners to address illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
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