NDLEA secures order to detain vessel, 21 crew members over cocaine shipment

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of a Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a ship, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Wednesday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that drug, in the hatch of the commodity vessel from Brazil was seized at the Apapa seaport in Lagos by operatives of the NDLEA.

He said that NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence had on Dec. 6, discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil.

“After the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities including Russia, Phillipines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits.

“This is 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.

“It was with no less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo on Nov. 16 at the Apapa seaport Lagos.

“Suspects taken into custody along with the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Master of the vessel, and other crew members,” he said.

Babafemi said that in line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday, Dec. 12 filed an ex-parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

This, he said, was for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges would 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, NDLEA for 14 days in the first instance.

“This is following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said vessel on Dec. 6 at Apapa seaport, Lagos.

“Pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.” The court thereafter adjourned the matter to Dec. 29.”

In his reaction to the development, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa said the latest seizure reinforced his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that they would never get a foothold in Nigeria.

Marwa commended the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command of the Agency for the back-to-back successful operations.

“This is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve to frustrate the drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region especially Nigeria.

“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,”