The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has obtained an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a merchant vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.
Operatives of the NDLEA, acting on intelligence, discovered the cocaine concealed in the hatch of the commodity vessel, MV San Anthonio, which arrived from Brazil on December 6, 2025.
After the vessel’s cargo was fully discharged, 21 crew members of different nationalities were taken into custody along with the seized drugs.
Those detained include the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members: 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.
The latest interception followed an earlier seizure on November 16, when NDLEA officers intercepted another vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, from the port of Santos in Brazil, with about 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed under its cargo at the same seaport.
In a statement on Thursday, the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the agency, in line with international legal procedures, the NDLEA on December 12 filed an ex parte application in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi, seeking the detention of the vessel and the crew pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of charges.
“On Friday, December 12, NDLEA filed an ex parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges will 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, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for 14 days in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said Vessel on December 6, 2025 at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.’ The court thereafter adjourned the matter to 29th December 2025,” the statement partly read.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) said the seizure reaffirmed the agency’s position against international drug trafficking networks.
He commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the operations.
He said the agency would continue to work with local and international partners to address illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
