ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a Federal High Court order in Lagos to detain a commodity vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the ship at the Apapa seaport.
The cocaine, concealed in the hatch of the vessel, MV San Antonio, was discovered after the ship arrived from Brazil, the agency disclosed on Wednesday.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said operatives of the agency acted on credible intelligence to intercept the drug consignment on December 6, 2025.
“Operatives of the NDLEA acting on credible intelligence had on 6th December 2025 discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil,” Babafemi said.
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He added that after the full discharge of the ship’s cargo, all 21 crew members were taken into custody.
“After the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities including Russia, Philippines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits,” he said.
The arrest comes barely weeks after NDLEA operatives intercepted another Brazil-bound commodity vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, from the port of Santos, where over 20 kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden beneath its cargo at the Apapa port on November 16.
Those detained in the latest operation include the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, alongside several crew members identified as Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir and Julfikhar Jacusalem.
Others are 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.
In line with international maritime and legal protocols, the NDLEA filed an ex parte application before the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking permission to detain the vessel and crew pending the conclusion of investigations.
The application, filed under suit number FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025, was heard by Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi on Friday, December 12.
In her ruling, the judge granted the agency’s request.
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“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 judge ruled.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 29, 2025.
Reacting, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the seizure underscored the agency’s resolve to deny international drug cartels access to Nigeria.
While commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the successive interceptions, Marwa said, “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.”
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen collaboration with both local and international partners to maintain zero tolerance for illicit drug trafficking.