Justice was served on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos as 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, were convicted and heavily fined for trafficking cocaine into Nigeria.
The court imposed a combined penalty of six million US dollars and an additional ₦1.1 million after the crew admitted to importing 20 kilograms of cocaine through the Apapa seaport, one of the country’s busiest maritime gateways.
The case, which underscores Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, originated from an operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. According to the agency, the suspects were apprehended on November 16, 2025, following the interception of the illicit consignment at the Lagos port.
In a statement released by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the arrest led to a four-count criminal charge filed before the court under suit number FHC/L/1232C/25. The prosecution team was spearheaded by Theresa Asuquo, who led efforts to secure a conviction.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, the defendants—identified as Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes—opted for a plea bargain arrangement. They admitted guilt, paving the way for expedited judgment.
Legal observers note that the inclusion of the vessel itself in the conviction reflects a growing trend in maritime drug enforcement, where both operators and transport assets are held accountable for trafficking offenses.
The ruling sends a strong warning to international shipping operators and crews that Nigerian authorities are tightening surveillance across ports and will not hesitate to enforce stiff penalties against offenders.
For the NDLEA, the outcome represents another milestone in its ongoing battle against transnational drug networks exploiting maritime routes. Officials say the agency remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and preventing the country from being used as a transit hub for illicit substances.
The case also highlights the strategic importance of Apapa port in Nigeria’s anti-narcotics operations, as authorities continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and inspection protocols to intercept illegal shipments before they reach the streets.
With the conviction secured and fines imposed, attention now turns to ensuring compliance with the court’s ruling and reinforcing deterrence against future violations within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
