After 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, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The convicted sailors, all nationals of Thailand, include: Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom.
The sailors were first arraigned before the court in February 2022, along with nine Nigerian suspects, on charges of conspiracy and the unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.
The vessel, the sailors, and the nine Nigerians were arrested on October 13, 2021, at the Apapa port in Lagos. The Nigerian suspects include Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
The defendants were charged under 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 are punishable under the same Act.
Following a no-case submission made by the sailors, which was dismissed, the court found a prima facie case against the sailors and their vessel, prompting the defendants to open their defense. Subsequently, the Thai sailors entered a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA, leading to the court’s ruling on May 15, 2025.
The court convicted MV Chayanee Naree for the unlawful transportation of 32.9 kg of cocaine and imposed a fine of $4 million (or its Naira equivalent).
In addition, the sailors were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for allowing the vessel to be used for the drug trafficking operation. The 2nd-4th defendants were ordered to pay a fine of N100,000 each and restitution of $50,000 USD each, or its equivalent in Naira, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The 5th-11th defendants were also fined N100,000 each and ordered to pay restitution totaling $30,000 USD each, bringing the total restitution to $4,360,000.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.
The prosecution was led by NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, DCGN Theresa Asuquo, supported by A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi. The defense team was led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Messrs Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe.
Reacting to the ruling, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), stated that the court’s decision sends a strong message to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria will not tolerate illicit drug trafficking.
In a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, he commended the NDLEA prosecution team and the officers involved in the arrest, seizure, and investigation for their diligence and resilience in bringing the case to a successful conclusion. He urged them not to relent in pursuing the remaining aspects of the case still pending.
