The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a Hong Kong registered vessel bringing in sugar from Brazil has been arrested in Nigeria allegedly hiding 24 kilogrammes of cocaine.
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The vessel, MV Cooper Island, was nabbed on July 6, 2023 at the Tin Can Island Seaport in Lagos following collaboration by the local and international security agencies.
The court directed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to detain the vessel, its master and 19 other crew members aboard the ship till the agency concludes its investigation of the alleged crime.
A check on ship monitoring websites, including marinetraffic.com, revealed that Cooper Island (IMO: 9668910) “is a Bulk Carrier that was built in 2014 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong.”
The vessel arrived in Lagos “after a voyage of 16 days, 1 hour” from Port Santos, Brazil.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order while granting an ex parte application in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1458/2023, filed by the agency through its lawyer, Mr. Ibrahim Abu.
Those detained are Krasnoperov Oleksi, the Master of the vessel; Enesa Julio (Jnr) Pedrogosa; Nonan Ulysses Doria; Duran Niel Stephen Dias; Frugalidad Francis Cabaluna; Akulov Oleg; Emano Marlon Acut; Sarmiento Neco Manalo; Pantukan Michael Constantino and Guion Aguinaldo Villas.
Others are Torino Jhundhel Adang; Alado Elpe De Pedro; Empedrado Ryan De Jesus; Liquit Niel Morris Auxtero; Tupas Risan Jub Sola Valencia Ceaser Jr. Carbagon; Peralta Jestoni Dalida; Teljona Elvis Urag; Loreno Regino Jr. Salaum and Adelanter Louie Luis Lapascau.
According to the agency, the grounds for the orders were that “24 Kilograms of Cocaine was seized aboard the Vessel MV COOPER ISLAND on July 6, 2023, at Tin Can Island Seaport, Lagos.
“And that the NDLEA is investigating the case of an unlawful importation and transporting of 24 kilogrames of Cocaine to Nigeria in conjunction with Interpol and other foreign collaborators.”
The court heard that the NDLEA received intelligence from its International Partners that there was a large consignment of cocaine aboard the Vessel MV Cooper Island, being transported to Nigeria.
The NDLEA’s counsel moved an affidavit in support of the application deposed to by one Nnanna Alamezie, who stated, among others, that
“The NDLEA working in close collaboration with the Nigeria Navy, Ports Security/Law Enforcement and other relevant agencies/officials was able to intercept the Vessel MV COOPER ISLAND and upon a search, substances suspected to be Cocaine was recovered aboard the Vessel.
“That the substance tested positive for cocaine with a combined weight of 24 kilogrammes when they were subjected to a preliminary test by the NDLEA Exhibit Officer in person of BONNIE WISDOM.
“That the testing and weighing of the substances were documented and signed by the NDLEA Exhibit Officer, the Vessel Master & some Crew members of the vessel MV COOPER ISLAND.
“That the seized substance established to be Cocaine is a prohibited substance under both international law and the domestic Laws of Nigeria and that the Captain and Crew members of the MV Cooper Island arrested in connection with the case did not provide any evidence of permit and or authority to transport and or import the recovered Cocaine to Nigeria.
“That the Captain and Crew members of the MV Cooper Island have made useful extra-judicial statements that are aiding the investigation of the case.
“That the Vessel MV Cooper Island was used as an instrumentality to commit the offences of unlawful transportation and importation of the seized Cocaine and therefore liable to forfeiture under both international and Nigerian laws.
“That investigation is currently ongoing with the view to establishing the extent of culpability or innocence of those arrested in connection with the Cocaine seizure. And that the NDLEA requires more time to carry out the comprehensive investigation required by the complexity of this case.
“The application is granted as prayed,” Justice Oweibo held and adjourned till August 17, for a report on the investigation.
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