Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is currently detaining 20 Filipino seafarers as part of an investigation into cocaine found concealed within their vessel’s cargo. The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers reported that they are in communication with Nigerian authorities, and the crew is being treated well while remaining aboard the ship.
The situation unfolded on November 16 when the Panama-flagged bulk carrier, Nord Bosporus, arrived in Lagos. During a routine inspection, NDLEA discovered 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a black-wrapped package among the cargo. The vessel had departed from Santos, Brazil, and was making its inaugural stop in Nigeria.
Following the discovery, NDLEA confiscated the crew’s cellphones and initiated a preliminary investigation. The vessel had primarily transported coal between Colombia and Brazil prior to this trip to Africa. The captain, Quino Eugene Corpus, has been aboard for less than three months. The Federal High Court in Lagos authorized an initial 14-day detention for the ship, captain, and crew, who have been allowed to contact their families and are reported to be in good health.
As part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking, Nigeria has ramped up its operations at ports. Earlier this month, in collaboration with the U.S. and U.K., authorities seized 1,000 kilograms of cocaine in Lagos. This follows a previous case in May 2025, where ten Thai sailors were convicted of drug smuggling after cocaine was found on another vessel arriving from Brazil.
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