Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
In a major victory for Nigeria’s fight against international drug trafficking, the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai nationals and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for smuggling 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into the country.
Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the landmark judgment on Tuesday, slamming a hefty fine of $4.36 million on the ship and its crew, who were arrested in October 2021 after a meticulously coordinated operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The ruling comes after more than three years of relentless prosecution led by the NDLEA, marking a significant triumph in the agency’s crackdown on transnational drug cartels operating within West Africa’s waters.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), hailed the verdict as a resounding message to global narcotics syndicates.
“This judgment is not just about the conviction of traffickers; it’s a bold statement that Nigeria is not, and will never be, a safe haven for illicit drug activities,” Marwa said. “We will continue to pursue, prosecute, and punish those who attempt to flood our shores with dangerous substances.”
The MV Chayanee Naree, a bulk cargo ship registered under a Thai flag, was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos following credible intelligence from international partners. A joint task force comprising NDLEA operatives and other security agencies conducted a high-stakes search of the vessel, leading to the discovery of the cocaine concealed in various parts of the ship.
The trial, which had drawn attention from local and international observers, revealed the sophisticated methods employed by drug syndicates in concealing and transporting narcotics across continents.
Justice Osiagor noted the gravity of the offense and the transnational threat posed by the convicts, emphasizing that the fine served both punitive and deterrent purposes.