20kg Cocaine Bust: Filipino Sailors, Ship Convicted, Fined $6m

By Ifeyinwa Ike

Ten Filipino sailors aboard the MV Nord Bosporus face conviction and a $6 million fine plus N1.1 million penalty after a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled on their guilty plea for trafficking 20kg of cocaine seized at Apapa Seaport on November 16, 2025.

Justice Ayokunle Faji convicted the vessel under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act, ordering N100,000 penalty and $5.35 million restitution.

Principal officers, Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, and Alexis Navidad Evarrola each pay N100,000 plus $100,000; remaining crew, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes pay N100,000 plus $50,000 each.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy said NDLEA prosecutors, led by Theresa Asuquo, secured the plea bargain in suit FHC/L/1232C/25.

NDLEA Chairma, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa hailed the ruling as a “resounding victory” signaling Nigeria’s territorial waters reject drug cartels.

He commended Apapa Command officers for the seizure, prosecutors for diligence, and the judiciary for swift action, vowing to target syndicates’ finances and assets.

Marwa stressed NDLEA’s unbreakable fight protects Nigeria’s youth and security through expanded intelligence and technology, building on successes like MV Chayanee Naree