20kg Cocaine Shipment: Court convicts 10 Filipino Sailors, vessel, imposes $6m fine

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— Nigeria No Longer a Playground for Drug Cartels, Says Marwa

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, over the importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.

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The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Wednesday that the Federal High Court in Lagos also imposed fines and restitution totaling $6 million, alongside an additional N1.1 million penalty on the convicts.

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The vessel and its crew were arrested on November 16, 2025, following the interception of the cocaine consignment concealed onboard the ship, which originated from Santos, Brazil.

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Subsequently, the NDLEA filed a four-count charge against them in suit number FHC/L/1232C/25 before the Federal High Court 2, Lagos, led by the agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.

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The defendants, however, pleaded guilty and entered into a plea bargain agreement.

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Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji found the vessel guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act and ordered it to pay a N100,000 penalty and $5.35 million in restitution to the Federal Government.

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Three principal officers of the vessel—the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants—were each fined N100,000 and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution, while the remaining seven crew members were fined N100,000 each and $50,000 in restitution apiece.

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In total, the vessel and its crew are to pay $6 million and N1.1 million as fines and restitution.

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Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), described the conviction as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking.

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He said the ruling sends a strong warning to international drug cartels and their collaborators that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer safe for illicit narcotics operations.

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“The conviction is a resounding victory for the rule of law and a powerful testament to the renewed vigour of the NDLEA in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs,” Marwa said.

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He added that the $6 million penalty would serve as a costly deterrent to criminal networks, stressing that the agency has moved beyond seizures to targeting the financial backbone of drug trafficking syndicates.

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Marwa commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance in uncovering the cocaine hidden deep within the vessel’s cargo, noting that the success reflects the effectiveness of the agency’s intensified enforcement strategy.

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He also praised the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services, as well as the judiciary, for ensuring the speedy trial of the case.

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“This synergy between the NDLEA and the courts is the nightmare of every drug baron, and we will continue to strengthen this partnership until every drug supply chain in Nigeria is dismantled,” he said.

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Reaffirming the agency’s resolve, Marwa stressed that the fight against drug trafficking is critical to safeguarding the nation’s youth and security, adding that intelligence gathering and operational capacity would continue to be strengthened.

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