In a significant drug bust, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a vessel carrying 20 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa seaport in Lagos. The dramatic operation took place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, marking another major victory in Nigeria's war against drug trafficking.
Massive Cocaine Interception at Apapa Port
Operatives of the anti-narcotics agency intercepted MV Nord Bosporus, a vessel arriving from Santos, Brazil, after discovering 20 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed within its cargo. The seizure comes just six months after the conviction of 10 Thai sailors for trafficking an even larger quantity of the same illicit substance into Nigeria.
Following the discovery, NDLEA officers took into custody Captain Quino Eugene Corpus and 19 Filipino crew members for thorough investigation. The agency promptly filed for a court order to detain both the vessel and its crew, a motion that was granted by Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The court authorized an initial 14-day detention period to enable comprehensive investigations into the drug trafficking operation. According to preliminary findings by the NDLEA, this was the first time MV Nord Bosporus had ever docked in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa, as the vessel primarily transported coal between Colombia and Brazil.
Similar Pattern to Previous Drug Bust
This incident bears striking resemblance to a previous case in October 2021, when 10 Thai sailors aboard MV Chayanee Naree were arrested for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine. That case culminated in convictions and a substantial $4.3 million fine imposed in May 2025.
Captain Corpus, who has only been with the ship for three months, now faces serious charges alongside his crew. The timing of this interception demonstrates the NDLEA's continued vigilance despite previous successful prosecutions in similar cases.
NDLEA Leadership Vows Zero Tolerance
In response to the significant seizure, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (rtd) praised his officers for their exceptional diligence. "This cocaine seizure is a clear demonstration of our heightened capacity and unwavering resolve," Marwa stated emphatically.
The agency boss emphasized the NDLEA's commitment to securing Nigeria's borders, declaring: "We will continue to tighten our grip on all entry and exit points. Nigeria is not, and will never be, your space or your foothold. The NDLEA is operating with zero tolerance."
Marwa issued a stern warning to potential collaborators within Nigeria, stating: "You are not just committing a crime; you are betraying your nation's future. The consequences of aiding and abetting drug trafficking will be severe."
Marwa's Tenure Extended Amid Successes
In related developments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for another five-year term. Marwa, first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, previously chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.
His renewed tenure will see him lead the NDLEA until 2031. The former military governor of Lagos and Borno States brings extensive experience to the role, having held numerous strategic positions throughout his distinguished career and holding postgraduate degrees from both the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University.
The recent successful operation at Apapa seaport underscores the agency's enhanced capabilities under Marwa's leadership and sends a strong message to international drug trafficking networks targeting Nigerian ports.
