32.9kg Cocaine Seizure: Court Grants NDLEA’s Request to Attach Ship, Detain 29 Suspects

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim attachment order to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in respect of a Singaporean vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, used to import 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine into the country.

The court also granted the prayer of the anti-narcotics agency who had earlier impounded the vessel to detain the Master of the ship, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk, and 21 foreign crew members as well as seven Nigerians arrested in connection to the case.

The NDLEA had on October 13 intercepted the ship at the Apapa seaport following intelligence from international partners and support from other security forces such as the Nigerian Navy, Customs, DSS and the police, during a thorough search of the ship 30 parcels containing cocaine, which weighed 32.9 kilogrammes was found.

According to a statement on Saturday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi,

investigations into the seizure have been yielding more arrests of suspected local collaborators.

He said as a result, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) on Tuesday directed that an application to attach the ship and detain the suspects for two weeks pending conclusion of investigation and filing of criminal charges against suspects be filed in court.

Babafemi said the application in suit no: FHC/L/CS/1518/2021, which was filed by the agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Nbone Sunday on Thursday 28th October was granted the following day Friday 29th October by Hon. Justice A.O. Awogboro.

The court ruled that: “An order of interim attachment is hereby granted the Federal Government of Nigeria over the Vessel MV Chayanee Naree used as an instrumentality of unlawful transportation and importation of 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine seized by the applicant aboard the vessel on 13th October 2021 at Apapa port pending investigation and filing of the charge and prosecution.

“An order of remand is hereby further granted to the Applicant to remand the Master of the Vessel, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk and 21 other crew members of the said Vessel and 7 other persons arrested in connection with the case for a period of fourteen days pending investigation and or filing of a criminal charge.”

The case was thereafter adjourned till 25th November, 2021 for report of investigation.