‎Court orders continued detention of Brazilian vessel as Customs–NDLEA drug trafficking case deepens

‎Lagos — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the continued detention of a foreign vessel, MV San Antonio, and its 21 crew members following the discovery of a large consignment of cocaine at the Apapa Port, as investigations into an alleged international drug trafficking network intensify.
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‎Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi, on Monday, December 29, 2025, granted an application filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking an extension of the vessel’s detention for an additional 14 days.
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‎The order is to allow investigators conclude ongoing inquiries into the transnational drug smuggling operation.
‎The case arose from an intelligence-led operation by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, shortly after the vessel berthed from Brazil on December 6, 2025. During a detailed examination of the ship, Customs officers uncovered 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in 24 parcels packed into five bags and hidden within a bulk consignment of sugar.
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‎Following the discovery, the vessel was detained and all 21 crew members were arrested, including the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, alongside 20 other crew members of different nationalities performing various operational roles onboard.
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‎In line with inter-agency protocols, the Nigeria Customs Service handed over the vessel, the seized narcotics, and the suspects to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
‎Justice Ogazi had earlier, on December 12, 2025, granted an ex parte application filed by NDLEA counsel, Barrister Kunle Adebajo, authorising the initial detention of the vessel and its crew.
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‎When the matter came up again, the NDLEA informed the court that investigations were still ongoing due to the complex and transnational nature of the case. The agency told the court that the sophisticated concealment method used and emerging intelligence linking some Nigerians to the shipment suggested the involvement of a wider criminal syndicate.
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‎Granting the application, Justice Ogazi held that it was meritorious and ordered that the vessel and crew remain in custody. He adjourned the matter to January 13 for a progress report on the investigation.
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‎Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against narcotics trafficking. The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, described the seizure as evidence of the Service’s enhanced intelligence capacity and effective collaboration with sister agencies.
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‎“This seizure and the continued detention of the vessel should send a strong message to perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system,” Oshoba said. “Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies, and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here.”
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‎He added that the vessel’s travel history — which included departures from Brazil and stopovers in Honduras, Guatemala and other routes associated with drug trafficking — had triggered red flags within Customs intelligence units.
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‎The ongoing prosecution, authorities say, underscores the growing cooperation between the NCS and the NDLEA, as well as their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s ports, borders and economy from the threat of illicit drugs and other prohibited goods.