A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for the interim attachment of a vessel MV Cha Yanee Naree, used to import 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.

A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, said beside the attachment order, the court also granted the agency’s request 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 anti-narcotic agency 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.

A thorough search of the ship led to the recovery of 30 parcels containing cocaine, which weighed 32.9kg.

Investigations into the seizure have been yielding more arrests of suspected local collaborators, as a result of which the agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) on Tuesday 26 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.

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

According to the court ruling, “An order of interim attachment is hereby granted the Federal Government of Nigeria over the Vessel MV Cha Yanee Naree used as an instrumentality of unlawful transportation and importation of 32.9 kilograms of cocaine seized by the applicant aboard the vessel on October 13 2021 at Apapa port pending investigation and filing of the charge and prosecution…”

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

Source: The Guardian