A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, for importing 20 kilograms of cocaine from Santos, Brazil, into Nigeria. The vessel and its crew were fined a total of $6 million and N1.1 million.
The sailors were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on November 16, 2025, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos. They pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain agreement.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, hailed the conviction as a “resounding victory for the rule of law” and a testament to the agency’s renewed vigour in fighting illicit drugs. He warned international drug cartels that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer a playground for their activities.
The NDLEA commended the Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance and the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligence in prosecuting the case.
