The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos for the detention of a merchant vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.
Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said, “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.
“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.
Among those detained is the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, as well as other crew members namely: Stoychev Sergiy, Bobrov Maksim, Stupnytsky Sergiy, Bitinev Aleksei, Novruzov Teymur, Sosnov Oleg, Bondar Ihor, Klymenko Oleh, Cala Michael De Jesus, Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem, 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.
He noted that the interception follows a similar operation earlier weeks, when NDLEA officers seized about 20 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard another commodity vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, which arrived from the port of Santos, Brazil, adding that the seizure was made at the Apapa seaport on November 16, 2025.
Babafemi said in line with international maritime and legal protocols, the NDLEA last Friday, filed an ex parte application before Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking an order to detain the vessel and its crew pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of criminal charges.
Granting 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, 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 case was adjourned to December 29, 2025.
In his reaction to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), said the seizure reinforces his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria will not be a safe ground for illicit drug trafficking.
He commended the Apapa Strategic Command for what he described as back-to-back successful operations, adding that the agency would continue to collaborate with local and international partners to curb illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
