NDLEA secures conviction of 10 Filipino sailors, vessel over cocaine importation

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has secured the condemnation of 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, implicit the importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine done the Apapa seaport successful Lagos.

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed connected Wednesday that the Federal High Court successful Lagos imposed fines and restitution totalling $6 million, alongside an further N1.1 cardinal punishment connected the convicts.

According to him, the vas and its unit were arrested connected November 16, 2025, aft NDLEA operatives intercepted the cocaine shipment concealed aboard the ship, which had departed from Santos, Brazil.

The bureau subsequently filed a four-count complaint against the defendants successful suit fig FHC/L/1232C/25 earlier the Federal High Court, with prosecution led by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.

The defendants pleaded blameworthy and entered into a plea bargain statement with the prosecution.

Delivering judgement connected Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji convicted the vas nether Section 25 of the NDLEA Act, ordering it to wage a N100,000 good and $5.35 cardinal successful restitution to the Federal Government.

The tribunal further ruled that 3 main officers of the vessel, the second, third, and 4th defendants, each wage a N100,000 good and $100,000 successful ...