Court Jails 10 Thai Sailors for Cocaine Smuggling in Lagos
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria from Brazil.
Justice Daniel Osiagor, who presided over the case, also ruled that the vessel must pay a fine of $4 million or its equivalent in Naira.
The conviction followed over three years of prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which first arraigned the sailors and nine Nigerian defendants in February 2022.
The convicted sailors include Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom, all Thai nationals.
They were arrested at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on October 13, 2021, alongside nine Nigerians alleged to be involved in the smuggling operation.
The charges against the defendants involved conspiracy and unlawful transportation of narcotics, in violation of sections 11(a), 11(b), and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Although the sailors initially filed a no-case submission, the court found there was enough evidence to proceed. The defendants later entered a plea bargain, which led to Thursday’s sentencing.
Justice Osiagor found the sailors guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act. In addition to the vessel’s $4 million fine, the 2nd to 11th defendants were each ordered to pay N100,000.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants were also fined an additional $50,000 each in restitution, while the 5th to 11th defendants were each fined $30,000—bringing the total financial penalties to $4,360,000.
The trial of the nine Nigerian suspects was adjourned to June 25, 2025.
Reacting to the ruling, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said, “This court ruling is a strong message to the international drug cartel and their local collaborators that Nigeria will never be a safe hub for illicit drug trafficking.”
He acknowledged the efforts of the NDLEA legal team, led by DCGN Theresa Asuquo, along with A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi, and recognized the role of the Apapa Command officers in the arrest and investigation.
“I must commend our prosecution team and the diligent officers involved in the seizure and investigation. Their resilience and commitment have ensured this case reached its logical conclusion,” Marwa stated.
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