NDLEA arrests 20 Filipinos as cocaine-laden vessel from Brazil is intercepted in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 20 Filipino crew members after operatives intercepted 20 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporus at the Apapa seaport in Lagos. The ship had sailed from Santos Port in Brazil.

The agency said the illicit substance was discovered on Sunday, 16 November 2025. The vessel’s Master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 other crew members were subsequently detained and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

On Thursday, 20 November, Justice Musa Kakaki granted the NDLEA an initial 14-day remand order for the crew and the vessel to enable further investigation.

Preliminary findings show that this was the ship’s first trip to Nigeria and the African continent, having previously been used mainly for transporting coal between Colombia and Brazil. Captain Corpus reportedly assumed command just three months ago.

The NDLEA noted similarities with a 2021 incident in which 10 Thai sailors aboard MV Chayanee Naree were convicted, alongside nine Nigerians, gor smuggling 32.9kg of cocaine from Brazil. They were later fined $4.3 million by the Federal High Court.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for the successful operation.

“This seizure is not only another operational milestone but a clear demonstration of our enhanced capabilities and unwavering commitment,” he said.

Marwa cautioned both foreign and local drug syndicates that Nigeria will remain hostile territory for drug trafficking.
“Nigeria is not, and will never be, your space or foothold. We operate a zero-tolerance policy. Anyone aiding foreign cartels is not only committing a crime but betraying the nation’s future,” he warned, promising strict legal consequences and aggressive asset forfeiture.

230 suspects arrested in Kano crackdown

In a related development, the NDLEA in Kano has arrested at least 230 suspects following a month-long operation targeting drug dealers and criminal networks across the state.

Commander of the Kano Strategic Command, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, told journalists on Friday that the raids were executed in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, NIS, NCoS and DSS under the Kano State Joint Taskforce for Peace Restoration and Youth Rehabilitation.

He said the operation led to the seizure of significant quantities of illicit substances as well as weapons.