NDLEA cocaine seizure Lagos: 20kg of cocaine intercepted on MV Nord Bosporus; 20 crew members detained for investigation

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted 20 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard the Brazil-bound vessel MV Nord Bosporus (IMO 9760110) at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Sunday, 16 November 2025. The illicit substance was discovered concealed beneath the ship’s cargo.

Also read: NDLEA cocaine seizure Lagos triggers global probe

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi stated on Friday that the agency detained the vessel’s Master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, along with 19 Filipino crew members.

The agency sought a court order for the detention of the vessel and crew to allow further investigation.

The motion ex parte, filed under suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25, was argued before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The judge granted an initial 14-day detention of the vessel, Captain Corpus, and the crew on Thursday, 20 November 2025.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the MV Nord Bosporus was visiting Nigeria and Africa for the first time. Historically, the vessel has primarily transported coal between Colombia and Brazil, while Captain Corpus has been with the ship for only three months.

The latest interception follows a similar seizure six months ago, when ten Thai sailors aboard the MV Chayanee Naree were convicted for attempting to bring 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil through Apapa seaport. The court fined the vessel and crew $4.3 million on 15 May 2025.

NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the Apapa Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for the seizure, describing the operation as proof of the agency’s strengthened capacity to secure Nigeria’s borders.

Marwa warned international drug cartels and internal collaborators that Nigeria would remain a zero-tolerance zone for illicit drugs.

“Your schemes, no matter how sophisticated, will fail. Our intelligence networks, international partnerships, and dedicated officers remain steps ahead of your criminal activities,” he said.

Marwa also cautioned Nigerians involved with foreign syndicates that they would face severe legal consequences.

NDLEA data indicates that drug interceptions have remained substantial in recent years. Between January 2023 and March 2024, the agency seized 207,976 kilogrammes of hard drugs at various Nigerian seaports.

In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 14 suspects were arrested with 16.69 kilogrammes of cocaine and 11,622.229 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa.