By Joy Onu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained a Federal High Court order to detain a Brazilian merchant vessel, MV San Antonio, along with its captain and 20 other crew members, following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.
The illegal consignment was discovered on December 6, 2025, after the vessel arrived from Brazil. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives inspected the ship and its cargo, leading to the arrest of all 21 crew members, who hail from Russia, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA in Abuja, the seizure underscores the agency’s commitment to disrupting international drug trafficking networks targeting Nigeria.
This latest operation follows a similar interception in November when NDLEA officers seized 20 kilograms of cocaine buried under cargo aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporus from Santos, Brazil, at the same Apapa port.
The suspects taken into custody from MV San Antonio include the ship’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and crew members 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.
In line with international legal protocols, NDLEA filed an ex-parte application on December 12, 2025, before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking the detention of the vessel and crew pending criminal charges. The court ruled in favor of the agency, ordering that the vessel remain under detention for 14 days, pending the conclusion of the investigation and/or filing of charges. The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the court ruling, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), reaffirmed the agency’s determination to prevent international drug syndicates from gaining a foothold in Nigeria. Marwa commended the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the consecutive successful operations, calling them “a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve to frustrate drug syndicates targeting Nigeria and the West African sub-region.”
He added that the agency will continue collaborating with both local and international partners to enforce zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
