March 18, (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a major victory in its crackdown on international drug trafficking, following the conviction of a merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, and 10 Filipino sailors for importing 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The judgement, delivered on Wednesday, March 18, by Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court 2, Lagos, comes barely four months after NDLEA operatives intercepted the illicit consignment at the Apapa seaport on November 16, 2025.
The vessel and its crew were arraigned on a four-count charge (FHC/L/1232C/25) filed by a team of NDLEA prosecutors led by the Agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo. The defendants, however, pleaded guilty and entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
In his ruling, Justice Faji found the vessel guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act and ordered it to pay a penalty of ₦100,000, alongside restitution of $5.35 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The three principal officers of the vessel (listed as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants) were each fined ₦100,000 and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. The remaining crew members were also convicted and directed to pay ₦100,000 each, in addition to $50,000 restitution per person.
Those convicted include Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes.
The cumulative penalties bring the total financial sanction against the vessel and its crew to $6 million and ₦1.1 million.
The arrests followed the discovery of 20kg of cocaine concealed deep within cargo aboard the vessel, which arrived from Santos, Brazil, through the Apapa port in Lagos.
Reacting to the judgement, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), described the conviction as a landmark victory for the agency and a strong statement against drug trafficking networks.
“The conviction of the vessel and its crew members is a resounding victory for the rule of law and a powerful testament to the renewed vigour of the NDLEA in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs”, he said.
Marwa added that the $6 million fine sends a clear warning to international drug cartels and their collaborators that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer a safe haven for illicit narcotics trade.
He emphasised that the agency has moved beyond routine seizures to targeting the financial backbone and operational assets of drug syndicates.
Commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance, he noted that the successful interception of the cocaine shipment highlights the effectiveness of NDLEA’s evolving enforcement strategy. He also praised the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for diligent prosecution of the case, as well as the judiciary for the accelerated hearing.
According to him, the growing synergy between the NDLEA and the courts is critical in sustaining the fight against drug trafficking.
“We are not just fighting a crime; we are defending the future of our youth and the security of our nation”, Marwa said, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to intensifying intelligence gathering and enforcement operations.
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