Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of ten Filipino sailors and their vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, for cocaine trafficking, marking a significant penalty in the country’s battle against maritime drug smuggling.
The Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the vessel and its crew to pay a combined $6 million in restitution and fines, along with an additional N1.1 million in penalties. The judgment followed the NDLEA’s interception of 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed aboard the ship at the Apapa seaport on November 16, 2025. The vessel had arrived from Santos, Brazil.
The agency filed four counts against the defendants. All accused pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain agreement. Delivering judgment, Justice Ayokunle Faji convicted the vessel under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act, imposing a N100,000 fine and $5.35 million restitution. Three principal officers received N100,000 fines and $100,000 restitution each, while the seven other crew members were each fined N100,000 and ordered to pay $50,000.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, hailed the ruling as a milestone. “The conviction is a resounding victory for the rule of law and a powerful testament to the renewed vigour of the NDLEA,” he stated. He emphasized that the substantial financial penalty aims to deter international drug syndicates and highlighted the agency’s strategic shift from solely focusing on seizures to dismantling the financial networks that fund trafficking.
Marwa commended the Apapa Strategic Command for detecting the hidden narcotics, alongside the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services and the judiciary for the swift trial. “This synergy between the NDLEA and the courts is the nightmare of every drug baron,” he added, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to strengthening partnerships to dismantle entire drug supply chains in Nigeria.
The case underscores Nigeria’s continued role as a critical transit point for transnational drug operations and the judiciary’s application of stringent penalties under the NDLEA Act. The NDLEA has vowed to intensify intelligence and operational capacity to protect national security and youth from illicit drug networks.
