A total of 20 kilogrammes of cocaine have been recovered from a Brazil-origin vessel, MV Nord Bosporus (IMO 9760110), after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA discovered the Class A drug buried under its cargo at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
In a statement signed by the agency spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the consignment was intercepted on Sunday, November 16, 2025, shortly after the vessel arrived from the Port of Santos in Brazil. NDLEA officers immediately arrested the vessel’s Master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 Filipino crew members, who were taken into custody for investigation.
Following the seizure, the Agency approached the Federal High Court for detention orders. On Thursday, November 20, 2025, Justice Musa Kakaki granted an initial 14-day detention for the vessel and all 20 crew members under suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25.
Preliminary investigation shows that this is MV Nord Bosporus’ first voyage to Nigeria and Africa. The ship has primarily operated between Colombia and Brazil transporting coal, and Captain Corpus has been with the vessel for about three months.
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The interception comes barely six months after the conviction of 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria. They were fined $4.3 million in May 2025 by Justice Daniel Osiagor.
Reacting to the latest seizure, reappointed NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations, describing the operation as evidence of the agency’s strengthened capacity and vigilance.
He warned transnational cartels and local collaborators that Nigeria will not serve as a conduit for illicit drug shipments, declaring: “Nigeria is not, and will never be, your space or your foothold. You may attempt sophisticated concealment, but you will fail.”
Marwa also cautioned Nigerians aiding foreign drug networks, saying their actions amount to betraying the country and would attract severe legal consequences, including asset forfeiture and long-term incarceration.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
