The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a Federal High Court order in Lagos to detain a commodity vessel, MV San Antonio, and its 21 crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The cocaine, concealed in the hatch of the ship which arrived from Brazil, was discovered by NDLEA operatives on December 6, 2025, after what the agency described as credible intelligence-led operations.
After the vessel fully discharged its cargo, the captain and 20 other crew members of different nationalities, including Russians, Filipinos, Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis, were taken into NDLEA custody alongside the seized drugs.
This latest interception comes barely weeks after NDLEA officers uncovered another cocaine shipment weighing about 20 kilograms aboard MV Nord Bosporus, which sailed from the Port of Santos, Brazil, and was intercepted at the same Apapa Seaport on November 16.
Among those detained are the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and 20 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 Julfikhar Jacusalem, and Blanco Crus Veloso.
Others include 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.
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In line with international legal procedures, the NDLEA on December 12, filed an ex parte application before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking an order to detain the vessel and crew pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of charges.
Granting the application, the judge ordered the detention of MV San Antonio and its crew for 14 days in the first instance, citing the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the vessel.
The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd.), said the seizure reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to block Nigeria from becoming a hub for international drug trafficking.
He warned international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria would remain hostile territory for illicit drug operations.
Commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the successive interceptions, Marwa said the operations demonstrated NDLEA’s improved capacity and determination to dismantle drug syndicates targeting Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
He added that the agency would continue to work with local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
