Metro News
VIDEO: NDLEA intercepts cocaine-laden vessel from Brazil, arrests captain, 19 other crew members
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it’s operatives have intercepted a vessel carrying 20 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
In a statement on Friday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the vessel, MV Nord Bosporus with registration number 9760110, arrived from Santos in Brazil.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers discovered the Class A drug buried under the ship’s cargo on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
He said the master of the vessel, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 other Filipino crew members, were taken into custody for investigation.
The spokesperson said the agency filed an ex-parte application in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the federal high court, Lagos, seeking detention of the vessel and crew.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that this was the first time the vessel was coming to Nigeria and Africa as it’s been largely transporting coal between Colombia and Brazil while Captain Corpus has been barely three months with the ship.”
While reacting to the seizure of 20kg cocaine on board MV Nord Bosporus, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the officers, men and women of the Apapa Strategic Command of the Agency as well as the Directorate of Seaport Operations for their vigilance, diligence and professionalism.
Marwa said the cocaine seizure is not just an operational success but “a clear demonstration of our heightened capacity and unwavering resolve”, adding that “we will continue to tighten our grip on all entry and exit points, especially our seaports, which transnational criminal organisations have historically attempted to exploit.”
The NDLEA chairman said: “Let this be an unambiguous message to every international drug cartel and every internal collaborator: 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 scheme, 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.
“For any Nigerian who chooses to collaborate with foreign syndicates in the illicit drug trade, the NDLEA boss reminded them of the consequences of such. “You are not just committing a crime; you are betraying your nation’s future.
“The consequences of aiding and abetting drug trafficking will be severe and unrelenting. We are committed to using the full force of the law to dismantle your structures, seize your illicit assets, and secure your long-term incarceration.”