Court Okays NDLEA’s Request To Detain Vessel, Crew Over Cocaine Shipment

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the request of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to detain a ship, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine in the hatch of the commodity vessel.

According to the anti-narcotic agency, the vessel, which was intercepted at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), originated from Brazil.

NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, recalled that operatives of the agency, acting on credible intelligence, had on December 6, 2025, discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil.

Babafemi added that after the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities, including Russia, the Philippines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits.

He said this was 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 November 16 at the Apapa Seaport.
Suspects taken into custody along with the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Master of the vessel, Trofymov Oleksandr; and other crew members identified as Stoychev Sergiy, Bobrov Maksim, Stupnytsky Sergiy, Bitinev Aleksei, Novruzov Teymur, Sosnov Oleg, Bondar Ihor, Klymenko Oleh and Cala Michael De Jesus.

Others are Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem, Blanco Crus Veloso, Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao, Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano, Toston Romulo Jr. Oling and Smirnov Viacheslav.

The rest are Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong, Cruz John Vhoie Glavez, Sablan Jamille Alorro, Abesia Kelvin Belarmino, and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.

Babafemi added that in line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday, December 12, 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 NDLEA’s 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 thereafter adjourned the matter to December 29, 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.

He assured that 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.