NDLEA Intercepts 20kg Cocaine on Brazilian Vessel at Apapa Port

NDLEA Intercepts 20kg Cocaine on Brazilian Vessel at Apapa Port Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporus at the Apapa seaport in Lagos. The ship, which arrived from Santos, Brazil, was discovered carrying the narcotics during routine cargo inspections conducted by the agency’s officers According to the NDLEA, the Class A drug was hidden among the ship’s cargo, underscoring the sophisticated methods employed by transnational trafficking networks to smuggle illicit substances into Nigeria.

Following the discovery, the vessel’s master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, along with 19 crew members, all Filipino nationals, were detained for questioning The agency promptly filed an ex-parte application at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which granted an initial detention order for the vessel and its crew. The move allows investigators to carry out comprehensive examinations of both the narcotics and the ship’s documentation, as well as to interrogate the crew for potential links to wider international drug networks NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), lauded the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for their vigilance, diligence, and professionalism. He described the seizure as a “major victory in the fight against transnational drug trafficking,” noting that Nigerian ports remain a key transit route for illicit drugs originating from South America This operation comes amid heightened NDLEA efforts to strengthen maritime surveillance and clamp down on drug trafficking activities in Nigeria. The agency has carried out several high-profile seizures at ports in Lagos and other parts of the country in recent months, reflecting an intensified strategy to disrupt organized crime syndicates using sophisticated smuggling methods Brig. Gen. Marwa reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and reducing the flow of narcotics into the country. He emphasized that seizures like this not only prevent illegal substances from reaching local markets but also serve as a deterrent to international trafficking networks attempting to exploit Nigerian ports as entry points The NDLEA continues to urge shipping companies, port authorities, and international partners to maintain vigilance and collaborate in efforts to curb the importation of illicit drugs. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Nord Bosporus and its crew is ongoing, with authorities working to unravel the broader network behind the smuggling attempt.