LunagisthubNDLEA Intercepts Cocaine-Laden Vessel from Brazil, Detains 20 Filipinos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant seizure of cocaine at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, intercepting a vessel from Brazil with 20 kilograms of the illicit substance. The agency detained the vessel’s Master, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, and 19 crew members, all Filipinos, for further investigation
According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the cocaine was concealed under the ship’s cargo and discovered on November 16, 2025. The agency subsequently sought a court order to detain the vessel and crew, which was granted by Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for an initial 14 days
Preliminary investigation revealed that the vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, was visiting Nigeria and Africa for the first time, having previously transported coal between Colombia and Brazil. Captain Corpus had been with the ship for barely three months
The NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended the Apapa Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations for the seizure, describing it as further proof of the agency’s increased capacity and commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders. Marwa warned international drug cartels and internal collaborators that Nigeria would not be a safe haven for their activities
Marwa emphasized the agency’s zero-tolerance policy, stating, “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.” He cautioned Nigerians working with foreign drug syndicates that they would face severe legal consequences
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