25.5kg Cocaine: Court Orders Detention Of Brazil-bound Vessel, 21 Crew In Lagos (Photos)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained a Federal High Court order in Lagos to detain a merchant vessel, its captain, and 20 crew members after seizing 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.

The cocaine was discovered in the hatch of the commodity vessel, MV San Antonio, which arrived from Brazil.

Operatives of the NDLEA, acting on credible intelligence, uncovered the cocaine consignment aboard the vessel on December 6, 2025.

After the complete discharge of the ship’s cargo, a total of 21 crew members of different nationalities, including Russians, Filipinos, Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis, were taken into NDLEA custody alongside the seized drugs.

The latest seizure came barely weeks after a similar interception by NDLEA officers at the Apapa seaport.

On November 16, operatives intercepted another commodity-laden vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, which sailed from the port of Santos in Brazil, with no fewer than 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed under its cargo.

Those taken into custody in connection with the latest seizure include the Master of the vessel, 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.

In line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday, December 12, filed an ex parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking the detention of the vessel and the 21 crew members pending the filing of charges.

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, for fourteen days 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 court subsequently adjourned the matter to December 29, 2025.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the seizure reinforced his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators.

In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, December 17, through the Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, Marwa said the cartels would never gain a foothold in Nigeria.

While commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the back-to-back successful operations, 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 collaborate with local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.