A Federal High Court in Lagos has found ten Filipino sailors and the merchant vessel MV Nord Bosporus guilty of trafficking cocaine into Nigeria. The case arose following the seizure of 20 kilogrammes of cocaine by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on November 16, 2025, at the Apapa seaport. The cocaine shipment was reportedly traced back to Santos, Brazil, prompting the legal proceedings against the crew and the vessel.

During the legal process, the defendants accepted a plea bargain, admitting their guilt to the charges brought against them. In a ruling delivered on March 18, 2026, Justice Ayokunle Faji handed down a total fine of $6 million, with additional penalties adding up to N1.1 million. This case underscores both Nigeria's robust legal approach to drug trafficking and the challenges posed by international drug smuggling operations.

The ruling highlights Nigeria's position in the global fight against drug trafficking, particularly as it faces the increasing threat of narcotics smuggling from South America and elsewhere. The involvement of foreign nationals, such as the Filipino sailors in this case, draws attention to the transnational dimensions of drug trafficking and the need for international cooperation in combating these illicit activities.