Operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, have reportedly intercepted 32.9kg of cocaine on a vessel, MV CHAYANEE NAREE.
The vessel and its crew including about six Asians were arrested.
The seafarers were arrested by the joint team following an intelligence report it got from the UK Border Force.
The vessel which was said to have come into the country from Brazil allegedly had the narcotic substance in 30 slabs inside a bag kept in the vessel’s Cargo Compartment One.
It was gathered that naval operatives acting on credible intelligence from International Police (Interpol), monitored the vessel said to have left Santos, Brazil on September 19.
The ship, it was learnt, was first spotted about 250 nautical miles off the coast of Benin Republic on October 1, where it drifted for about a week before sailing into Nigerian waters.
All 22 crewmen are being detained on board the ship at the Lagos Port Complex while the investigation continued.
Briefing journalists at a joint press conference on Thursday, Commander, NNS BEECROFT Commodore Bashir Mohammed, said the interception was possible because of collaborative efforts between the navy, Interpol, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
He said the vessel was arrested by NNS EKULU upon entry into Nigerian waters, adding that the navy had trailed its movement through the FALCON EYE Maritime Domain Awareness system.
Commodore Mohammed said the joint security team, acting on credible intelligence from Interpol, naval officers, commenced tracking of a vessel, MV CHAYANEE NAREE, which was suspected of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria.
Mohammed said during the investigation it was discovered that the vessel departed Santos Brazil on September 19, 2021, and drifted for a week at a position about 250nm (approximately 500 kilometres) off the coast of Benin Republic from October 1 to October 8 before setting sail and arriving Nigeria on October 8, 2021.
“Upon entering Nigerian waters, the vessel was intercepted by Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU and escorted to NPA port where she was directed to berth on October 9, 2021, and taken custody by the Navy. Thereafter, other agencies were invited to conduct an extensive and comprehensive search of the vessel for narcotics and other contraband items,” he stated.
“The suspected vessel was thoroughly searched by a combined team of Nigerian Navy, Interpol Nigeria, Nigerian Customs Service and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The Search began on October 9, 2021, and at about 6 pm on October 13, 2021, the efforts of the search team were rewarded when a bag was found in the Vessel’s Cargo Compartment One
“Tests conducted on the contents of the bag by the NDLEA confirmed the substance to be cocaine wrapped in 30 slabs weighing 32.9 kg. Accordingly, the substance was handed over to the NDLEA while further search and investigation continued on every nook and cranny of the vessel,” he added.
Also speaking on the arrest and seizure, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Ibrahim Malanta Yusuf, said it is gratifying to point out that, the success of the operation as a result of the excellent synergy and collaborative efforts between the NN, Interpol Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said as the Investigation progress jointly and the continuous search of the Vessel, additional information will be released to the press on the case.
“The desired end state by all parties involved in the prosecution of all those involved in this nefarious act according to the laws of the land.” he added.
Those at the event include the representative of the Chairman of NDLEA, Mrs Mercy Thompson, the representative of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Head of Interpol Lagos, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Nwogwu Martins.
