The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a vessel carrying 20 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, marking another major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against international drug trafficking. The discovery was made on Sunday, 16 November 2025, after operatives searched the vessel shortly after it arrived from Brazil.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday. He explained that the ship, identified as MV Nord Bosporus and bearing registration number 9760110, sailed into Nigeria from the port of Santos in Brazil, a route that global narcotics control agencies have described as a key passage for cocaine movement into Africa and Europe.
According to Babafemi, NDLEA officers found the cocaine hidden beneath the vessel’s cargo. The consignment was concealed in a manner suggesting sophisticated planning, signaling that drug cartels continue to adopt complex methods to evade detection.
Following the discovery, NDLEA operatives detained the master of the vessel, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus, along with 19 other Filipino crew members. The entire crew is currently being questioned to determine their level of involvement in the smuggling operation.
Babafemi noted that such arrests are standard procedure when prohibited substances are found on commercial ships. He stressed that investigations would determine whether the crew members knowingly participated in the trafficking or whether external criminal networks exploited the ship without their knowledge.
To ensure proper legal steps, the NDLEA has filed an ex-parte application before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The case, marked FHC/L/MISC/1306/25, was presented before Justice Musa Kakaki. The agency is seeking court approval to retain custody of both the vessel and its crew during the ongoing investigation.
The seizure adds to a long list of major drug interceptions recorded by the NDLEA since its renewed aggressive crackdown on traffickers. Over the past few years, Nigeria has become a significant transit point for international drug syndicates, especially for cocaine originating from South America.
Brazil remains one of the world’s largest exit points for cocaine shipments, and Nigerian authorities have long tracked vessels, cargo containers, and travellers arriving from Brazilian ports. The Lagos seaport, being the busiest in the country, is considered a high-risk entry point for narcotics, prompting tighter surveillance by security agencies.
Global drug cartels often take advantage of Nigeria’s large coastline, busy maritime traffic, and limited capacity for detailed checks on every vessel. This has made maritime drug interceptions a critical part of NDLEA’s work. The agency has invested in intelligence gathering, increased collaboration with international partners, and modern screening tools to identify suspicious shipments.
Since 2021, the NDLEA, under the leadership of former chairman Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), has intensified nationwide operations against drug networks. The agency has recorded several historic drug seizures, including multi-tonne shipments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
In recent years, NDLEA officers have intercepted drugs hidden in unusual locations such as generator parts, vehicles, luggage, gas cylinders, food items, and even inside the human body. The agency has also uncovered major drug warehouses, arrested kingpins, and blocked attempts to use Nigerian airports and seaports to smuggle drugs abroad.
The interception of MV Nord Bosporus aligns with these efforts and shows, once again, that drug syndicates continue to target Nigeria as a key transit hub. According to NDLEA officials, the agency’s vigilance will remain high to deter such activities.
The arrest of 20 foreign nationals, particularly from a single country, could have diplomatic implications. The Philippines, where the crew members originate, is expected to follow the investigation closely. However, NDLEA maintains that due legal process will be followed and that the rights of the detained individuals will be respected.
International maritime rules hold ship captains responsible for the contents of their vessels. As a result, Captain Corpus may face serious charges if investigations confirm that he had knowledge of the cocaine shipment.
The NDLEA’s decision to approach the court ensures that the case proceeds under strict legal guidelines. If the Federal High Court grants the agency’s request, both the vessel and crew members will remain in Nigeria until the investigation is concluded.
Nigeria’s location between South America, Europe, and the rest of Africa makes it attractive to global drug networks. Authorities have repeatedly warned that local criminal groups collaborate with foreign syndicates, making drug enforcement a complex challenge.
The NDLEA has continued to urge Nigerians to support its efforts by providing information that can assist in identifying traffickers, drug-producing laboratories, and storage facilities. The agency also continues to warn ship owners, airline operators, and freight companies to strengthen their cargo checks to avoid becoming tools for international cartels.
For now, the fate of MV Nord Bosporus and its crew rests on the ongoing investigation. If confirmed that the cocaine was deliberately smuggled, authorities may seize the vessel permanently and the suspects could face lengthy jail terms under Nigerian law.
