The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a Federal High Court order to detain the merchant vessel MV San Antonio, its captain, and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at Apapa seaport, Lagos.
In a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, the agency said the consignment was discovered aboard the vessel on 6th December 2025.
The statement reads partly: “Operatives of the NDLEA acting on credible intelligence had on 6th December 2025 discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Antonio from Brazil. After the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities including Russia, Philippines, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits. This is coming on the heels of a similar interception by NDLEA officers of another commodity-laden vessel—MV Nord Bosporus from the port of Santos in Brazil with no less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo on 16th November at the Apapa seaport, Lagos.”
“Suspects taken into custody along with the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Master of the vessel, Trofymov Oleksandr; and other crew members namely: Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem; Blanco Crus Veloso; Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao; Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano; Toston Romulo Jr. Oling; Smirnov Viacheslav; Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong; Cruz John Vhoie Glavez; Sablan Jamille Alorro; Abesia Kelvin Belarmino; and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.
“In line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday 12th December filed an ex-parte application before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges will be filed. Ruling on the application, the judge said, ‘an order of court is hereby made extending the detention of the Vessel MV San Antonio for fourteen days pending the conclusion of investigation and/or filing of criminal charges.’ The court thereafter adjourned the matter to 29th December 2025.”
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for their successful operations.
He said, “This is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve to frustrate the drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region especially Nigeria. We will continue to collaborate with local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.”
The NDLEA noted that the seizure follows a similar interception of 20 kilograms of cocaine aboard the MV Nord Bosporus from Brazil on 16th November 2025, highlighting a consistent pattern of vigilance against international drug trafficking at Nigerian ports.