25.5kg cocaine seizure: Court orders detention of vessel, 21 crew members + videos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a commodity vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the ship’s hatch at the Apapa Seaport.
Operatives of the agency, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the merchant vessel, MV San Anthonio, which arrived from Brazil, on December 6, 2025. After the vessel fully discharged its cargo, NDLEA officers uncovered the cocaine consignment and subsequently took the ship’s 21 crew members into custody alongside the seized drugs.
Those detained are of different nationalities, including Russians, Filipinos, Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis. Among the suspects is the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, alongside other crew members identified as 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.
The development comes barely weeks after a similar interception by NDLEA officers at the Apapa Seaport. On November 16, 2025, operatives seized no fewer than 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed under the cargo of another commodity vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, which had sailed from the port of Santos, Brazil.
In line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday, December 12, filed an ex-parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking an order to detain the vessel and the 21 crew members pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of charges.
Ruling on the application, Justice Ogazi ordered the detention of MV San Antonio for an initial period of 14 days, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the ruling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), said the seizure reinforces the agency’s warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for illicit drug trafficking.
Commending officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the successive interceptions, Marwa described the operations as a reflection of the NDLEA’s enhanced capacity and determination to dismantle drug syndicates targeting Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region. He added that the agency would continue to strengthen collaboration with local and international partners to maintain zero tolerance for substance abuse and drug trafficking in the country.
