A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the continued detention of the Brazilian-flagged vessel MV San Antonio and its 21 crew members for an additional 14 days as investigations deepen into the smuggling of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine intercepted at Apapa Port.
Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi granted the extension on the application of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), allowing more time to probe the international drug trafficking network linked to the seizure.
The vessel, which arrived from Brazil on December 6, 2025, was searched by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers at Apapa Area Command shortly after berthing.
They uncovered 25.5kg of cocaine concealed in 24 parcels inside five bags hidden among a bulk sugar consignment.
All 21 crew members, including the ship's master Trofymov Oleksandr and 20 others of various nationalities, were arrested, and the vessel was detained.
The NCS subsequently handed over the ship, the seized drugs, and the suspects to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The NDLEA told the court that the case's transnational complexity, sophisticated concealment methods, and emerging links to Nigerian accomplices necessitated additional time to fully dismantle the syndicate.
Justice Ogazi described the application as meritorious and adjourned the matter to January 13, 2026, for an update on the investigation's progress.
An earlier ex parte order on December 12, 2025, had authorised the initial detention.
Apapa Area Command Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, praised the interception as evidence of improved intelligence and inter-agency cooperation.
"This seizure sends a clear message: no criminal can undermine our port system," he said, noting the vessel's route through known drug-trafficking hubs in Honduras and Guatemala had triggered alerts.
The case highlights strengthened collaboration between the NCS and NDLEA in combating illicit drug trafficking and protecting Nigeria's borders and economy.
