32.9kg Cocaine Trafficking: NDLEA Secure Conviction For 10 Thai Sailors

Following over three years of diligent prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor has convicted 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, named MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport, Lagos.

The convicted sailors, all Thai nationals, include Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom.

They were first arraigned before the court along with nine Nigerian suspects by the NDLEA in February 2022 on offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives arrested the vessel, the convicted sailors and the nine Nigerians on October 13, 2021, at the Apapa port in Lagos.

The Nigerian suspects are: Samuel Messiah; Ishaya Maisamari; Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey; Osabeye Stephen; Gbenga Ogunfadeke; Kayode Buletiri; Rilwan Omotosho Liasu; Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.

They were all subsequently charged to court over the illegal acts which NDLEA prosecutors argued contravene sections 11(a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same Act.

The convicted sailors initially made a no-case submission, which was dismissed after the prosecution submitted that a prima facie case had been established against the vessel and its crew members.

As a result, the trial judge ordered the convicted Thai sailors and others to open their defence on the charges against them.

Following the court ruling, the convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA. As a result, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling at the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

While the prosecution was led by the Agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, DCGN Theresa Asuquo, supported by A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi, the defence team was led by the trio of Messrs Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi and Tunde Adejuyigbe, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

In his reaction, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the court ruling was a strong message to the international drug cartel and their local collaborators that Nigeria will never be a safe hub for illicit drug trafficking.

He commended the NDLEA prosecution team and officers of the Apapa Strategic Command involved in the shipment’s arrest, seizure and investigation for their diligence and resilience in following the case to a logical conclusion.

He charged them not to relent in pursuing the other part of the pending case.

Agency