By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of a Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a ship, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilogrammes of cocaine in the hatch of the commodity vessel from Brazil at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed the seizure in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that the agency’s operatives acting on credible intelligence had on Dec. 6 discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil.
“After the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities comprising Russia, Phillipines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits.
“This is coming on the heels of a similar interception by NDLEA officers of another commodity laden vessel- MV Nord Bosporus from the port of Santos in Brazil with no less than 20 kilogrammes of Class A drug buried under its cargo on 16th November at the Apapa seaport Lagos,” Babafemi added.
According to him, suspects who were taken into custody alongside the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Captain of the vessel, Trofymov Oleksandr; and other crew members namely: 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 12th December filed an ex-parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges will be filed against them,” he added.
Ruling on the application, the judge said “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 (14) in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said Vessel on Dec. 6 at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.”
The court thereafter adjourned the matter to Dec. 29, 2025.
In his reaction to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) said the latest seizure reinforces his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that they will never get a foothold in Nigeria.
