In a significant ruling, a Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted ten Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport. The verdict, delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor, comes after over three years of diligent prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
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. They were originally arraigned alongside nine Nigerian suspects in February 2022, facing charges of conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment. The arrests occurred on October 13, 2021, at Lagos’ Apapa port.
The Nigerian suspects — Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf — were also charged with similar offenses.
The NDLEA prosecutors argued that the actions violated several sections of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, punishable under the same law. Initially, the sailors filed a no-case submission, which was dismissed after the prosecution demonstrated that a prima facie case had been established against the vessel and its crew, prompting the judge to order them to present a defense.
Following this ruling, the Thai sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA. On May 15, 2025, Justice Osiagor ruled that the MV Chayanee Naree was convicted of unlawfully transporting 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria and was ordered to pay a hefty fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent.
Additionally, the second to eleventh defendants were convicted under section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the use of the vessel for illegal drug transport. The second, third, and fourth defendants each received a fine of N100,000 and were ordered to provide restitution of $50,000 each or its equivalent in Naira to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The fifth to eleventh defendants were similarly fined N100,000 each and required to pay $30,000 each in restitution, amounting to a total liability of $4.36 million.
Justice Osiagor subsequently adjourned the trial for the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, expressed that the court’s decision sends a strong warning to international drug cartels and their local accomplices, affirming that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for illicit drug trafficking. He commended the NDLEA prosecution team and the officers involved in the investigation and arrest, urging them to remain steadfast in pursuing the case further.