The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a shipment of over 20 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil and detained 20 Filipino crew members at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
A statement from Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, explained that the vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, arriving from the port of Santos, Brazil, was inspected by NDLEA officers on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The officers discovered the Class A drug hidden among the ship’s cargo. Captain Quino Eugene Corpus and 19 crew members were immediately taken into custody for further investigation.
Following the arrests, the NDLEA applied to the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain the vessel and its crew. Justice Musa Kakaki approved the request on Thursday, November 20, 2025, granting a 14-day initial detention in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25.
Investigations revealed that this was the first visit of MV Nord Bosporus to Nigeria and Africa. The ship has mostly transported coal between Colombia and Brazil, and Captain Corpus has been with the vessel for only three months.
The NDLEA has a record of cracking down on drug trafficking through the Apapa seaport. In 2021, ten Thai sailors on MV Chayanee Naree were arrested for smuggling 32.9 kilograms of cocaine and were later convicted and fined $4.3 million.
NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the officers for their vigilance. “This cocaine seizure is not just an operational success but a clear demonstration of our heightened capacity and unwavering resolve,” he said.
Marwa also issued a warning to drug cartels and their local collaborators. He said, “Nigeria is not, and will never be, your space or your foothold. The NDLEA is operating with zero tolerance and will not permit any illicit drug to pass through our borders, whether by air, land, or sea. You may scheme, you may attempt sophisticated concealment, but you will fail. Our intelligence network, collaboration with international partners, and the dedication of our officers are steps ahead of your nefarious activities.”
He further cautioned Nigerians who cooperate with foreign drug syndicates. “You are not just committing a crime; you are betraying your nation’s future. The consequences of aiding and abetting drug trafficking will be severe and unrelenting. We are committed to using the full force of the law to dismantle your structures, seize your illicit assets, and secure your long-term incarceration,” Marwa added.
