Cocaine trafficking: Court convicts 10 Thai sailors, vessel, slams $4.3m fine

In a significant victory against international drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) secured a conviction at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Ten Thai nationals and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, were found guilty of trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

The illicit drugs originated from Brazil and were intercepted at the Apapa seaport.

As a result of their crime, the court imposed a substantial fine of $4.3 million on the convicted individuals and their vessel.

The convicted Thai sailors 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 arrested alongside nine Nigerian suspects on October 13, 2021, and arraigned in February 2022 on charges of conspiracy and unlawful importation of narcotics.

In a statement sent to Persecondnews on Thursday in Abuja, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment following a plea bargain agreement entered into by the convicted crew members with the NDLEA.

He said the judge convicted the vessel under Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act and imposed a fine of $4 million, or its naira equivalent, for smuggling the illicit drug into Nigeria.

The statement reads: “The convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA and as a result, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling at the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday May 15, 2025.

“Among other penalties, the judge convicted the Vessel MV Chayanee Naree for unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered to pay a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent.

“The 2nd – 11th defendants were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the use of the vessel for the unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants were ordered to pay N100,000.00 each as punishment for the offence and in addition restitution in the sum of $50,000 each or its equivalent in Naira to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The 5th – 11th defendants are to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution in the sum of $30,000.00, bringing the total amount payable to $4,360,000.00.”

The statement said the judge adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects until June 25.