The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a Brazil-origin vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, laden with cocaine at the Apapa Port in Lagos, barely months after 10 Thai sailors were convicted for a similar offence.
The vessel, which arrived from Santos, Brazil, was found to be carrying 20 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed beneath its cargo. NDLEA operatives discovered the illicit substance during a coordinated search on Sunday, 16 November 2025.
The ship’s master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 Filipino crew members were immediately arrested. A Federal High Court has granted the agency’s request to detain all 20 suspects for 14 days to allow for comprehensive investigation.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that preliminary findings indicate this was the vessel’s first voyage to Nigeria, and that its captain only assumed duty three months ago.
He noted that the seizure bears similarities to the 2021 cocaine trafficking case involving Thai sailors, who were sentenced in May 2025 for attempting to smuggle 32.9kg of cocaine into the country.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, praised the effort of the operatives, saying the successful interception reflects the agency’s strengthened capacity to shut down international drug cartels operating through Nigerian seaports.
Marwa warned both foreign syndicates and their local collaborators that Nigeria will not be allowed to serve as a transit hub for illicit drugs, stressing that offenders face severe legal penalties, including asset forfeiture.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen