The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a merchant vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members over the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the hatch of a ship at the Apapa seaport.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said the vessel, MV San Antonio, arrived in Nigeria from Brazil before operatives of the agency uncovered the illicit drug consignment on December 6, 2025, following credible intelligence.
Babafemi said the seizure was made after the vessel completed the discharge of its cargo, after which 21 crew members of different nationalities — including Russia, the Philippines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan — were taken into custody alongside the recovered cocaine.
Those detained include the vessel’s master, Mr Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members identified as Stoychev Sergiy, Bobrov Maksim, Stupnytsky Sergiy, Bitinev Aleksei, Novruzov Teymur, Sosnov Oleg, Bondar Ihor, Klymenko Oleh, and Cala Michael De Jesus.
Others are 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 procedures, the NDLEA on December 12, 2025, filed an ex parte application before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025, seeking an order to detain the vessel and its crew pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of charges.
Granting the application, Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi ordered the continued detention of the vessel.
“An order of court is hereby made extending the detention of the vessel MV San Antonio being investigated by the applicant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for fourteen days in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said vessel on December 6, 2025, at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution,” the court ruled.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the seizure reinforced the agency’s warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators.
“We remain resolute to frustrate the drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region, especially Nigeria. This latest interception has once again confirmed that drug cartels will never get a foothold in the country,” Marwa said.
He commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command of the agency for what he described as successive successful operations.
“This is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve in the fight against illicit drug trafficking. We will continue to collaborate with our local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and drug trafficking in Nigeria,” he added.
