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COCAINE SEIZURE: COURT GRANTS NDLEA'S REQUEST TO ATTACH VESSEL, DETAIN 29 SUSPECTS

A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos has granted the application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for the interim attachment of a vessel, MV Chayaneenaree, used to import 32.9 kilograms of sunstances suspected to be cocaine into Nigeria, through the Apapa seaport.


The Court also granted NDLEA's request to detain the Captain of the ship, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk, 21 foreign crew members as well as 7 Nigerians arrested in connection with the crime.


The Agency had on October 13, intercepted the ship at the Apapa seaport, following intelligence from international partners and support of the Nigerian Navy, Customs, DSS and the Police.

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

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


According to the ruling, it was declared that "An order of interim attachment is hereby granted the Federal Government of Nigeria over the Vessel MV Chayaneenaree used as an instrumentality of unlawful transportation and importation of 32.9 kilograms 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 subsequently adjourned till 25th November, 2021, to allow for completion of investigations. 


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