In a major anti-narcotics operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a vessel carrying a significant cocaine shipment and arrested 20 Filipino crew members at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, had arrived from the Brazilian port of Santos, carrying at least 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden beneath its cargo.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed that the ship’s captain, Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 other Filipino sailors were taken into custody for further investigation.
The agency immediately filed an application with the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking a court order to detain the vessel and the crew while investigations continue.
Justice Musa Kakaki granted the request, ordering a 14-day detention period.
Preliminary findings revealed that this was the first voyage of MV Nord Bosporus to Nigeria and Africa, as it had previously transported coal exclusively between Colombia and Brazil.
Captain Corpus has been with the ship for only three months, indicating limited experience with international operations in Africa.
The NDLEA emphasised that its officers’ vigilance, intelligence, and operational coordination were critical to uncovering the cocaine shipment before it could enter local markets.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for their “diligence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment” in preventing the illicit consignment from entering Nigeria.
Marwa described the seizure as both an operational success and a demonstration of the agency’s enhanced capabilities.
“We will continue to fortify our borders, especially seaports, against transnational criminal organizations that have historically attempted to exploit our entry points,” he stated.
Marwa also warned international drug traffickers and domestic collaborators that Nigeria would not be a foothold for their illegal activities.
“The NDLEA operates with zero tolerance. Sophisticated concealment or elaborate schemes will not succeed.
”Those aiding drug trafficking betray not just the law, but the future of the nation. Consequences will be severe and unrelenting,” he said.
This operation underscored Nigeria’s commitment to tightening control over its ports and enforcing stringent anti-drug measures.
By intercepting this shipment, the NDLEA has sent a clear signal to global drug cartels that Nigeria will act decisively to prevent the infiltration of illegal substances and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.
The arrested crew members and the vessel willbremain in custody as the investigation proceeds, while the agency continues to strengthen its intelligence network and international collaborations to combat narcotics trafficking.
