By Nkechi Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a major cocaine consignment shipped from Brazil into Nigeria, detaining a foreign vessel and its 20 Filipino crew members in what authorities described as another decisive blow against international drug cartels attempting to exploit the nation’s seaports.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA operatives uncovered 20 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed beneath cargo on board MV Nord Bosporus (IMO: 9760110), which arrived from the Port of Santos, Brazil, and was intercepted on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The agency immediately took into custody the vessel’s Master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 other Filipino crew members for comprehensive investigation. Following the arrests, the NDLEA approached the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking an order to detain the suspects and the vessel.
The application filed as an ex-parte motion in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25 was heard by Justice Musa Kakaki, who on Thursday, 20 November 2025, granted a 14-day initial detention order to enable investigators pursue deeper leads into the transnational trafficking operation.
Preliminary findings reveal that the vessel was making its first voyage to Nigeria or any African port, after years of operating largely between Colombia and Brazil transporting coal. Captain Corpus, investigators discovered, had only been on board the ship for three months prior to the arrest.
The development follows a similar high-profile case involving ten Thai sailors arrested by the NDLEA in October 2021 aboard MV Chayanee Naree, which had ferried 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria. That vessel and its crew were later convicted on 15 May 2025 by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and slammed with a $4.3 million fine.
Reacting to the latest seizure, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for their vigilance, professionalism, and sustained pressure on maritime drug trafficking syndicates.
Marwa described the operation as “not just an operational success but a clear demonstration of our heightened capacity and unwavering resolve,” stressing that the NDLEA will continue to fortify all entry and exit points, particularly the nation’s seaports which have historically been targeted by transnational criminal networks.
Issuing a stern warning to drug cartels across the world, the NDLEA boss declared: “Nigeria is not, and will never be, your space or your foothold. The NDLEA is operating with zero tolerance, and we will not permit any illicit drug to pass through our borders whether by air, land, or sea. You may attempt sophisticated concealment, but you will fail. Our intelligence network, collaboration with international partners, and the dedication of our officers are steps ahead of your nefarious activities.”
He also cautioned Nigerians aiding foreign cartels in drug trafficking, insisting that their actions amount to a betrayal of the nation.
“You are not just committing a crime; you are betraying your nation’s future. The consequences will be severe and unrelenting. We are committed to dismantling your structures, seizing your illicit assets, and securing your long-term incarceration,ʺ he warned.
The NDLEA says investigations into the MV Nord Bosporus cocaine shipment are ongoing, with more revelations expected as operatives deepen intelligence gathering to uncover the full network behind the transnational crime.
