NDLEA detains vessel and crew after major cocaine bust in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a court order to detain a merchant vessel and its crew after discovering 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at Apapa seaport. The vessel, MV San Anthonio, arrived from Brazil on December 6, 2025, and was searched by NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence. The agency’s chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the operation and reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to fighting international drug trafficking. The court has extended the detention of the vessel and crew for 14 days pending further investigation.
What we know
- The NDLEA found 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hatch of MV San Anthonio on December 6, 2025.
- A total of 21 crew members, including the captain, were detained after the ship’s cargo was unloaded.
- The Federal High Court in Lagos granted the NDLEA’s request to detain the vessel and crew for 14 days starting December 12, 2025.
- This seizure follows a similar incident on November 16, 2025, involving another vessel from Brazil with 20 kilograms of cocaine.
- Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the NDLEA officers and emphasized ongoing collaboration with international partners to combat drug trafficking.
