December 17, (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos, permitting the detention of a merchant vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the ship’s hatch at the Apapa seaport.
A statement signed on Wednesday by NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated that the cocaine was discovered aboard the commodity vessel, MV San Anthonio, which arrived in Nigeria from Brazil, after NDLEA operatives acted on credible intelligence on December 6, 2025. Following the full discharge of cargo from the vessel, a total of 21 crew members of different nationalities were taken into custody alongside the illicit drug exhibits.
The latest seizure comes barely weeks after NDLEA operatives intercepted another Brazil-bound vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, from the port of Santos, where over 20 kilograms of cocaine were uncovered beneath its cargo at the Apapa seaport on November 16, 2025.
Those detained in connection with the MV San Anthonio operation include the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, as well as 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 number 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 criminal charges.
Ruling on the application, Justice Ogazi ordered the continued detention of the vessel and crew for an initial period of 14 days. The court held: “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 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 matter was thereafter adjourned to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the seizure reinforces the agency’s warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for illicit drug trafficking.
Commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for what he described as back-to-back successful operations, Marwa noted that the seizures underscore the NDLEA’s strengthened operational capacity and resolve.
“This is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering determination to frustrate drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region, especially Nigeria”, he said, adding that the agency would continue to work closely with local and international partners to enforce zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
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