Cocaine trafficking: Court convicts 10 Thai sailors, ship, fined $4.3 million

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport, Lagos.

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted the sailors after over three years of prosecution by the NDLEA.

The convicted Thai nationals are Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom. They were arraigned in February 2022 alongside nine Nigerian suspects on charges of conspiracy and unlawful transportation of cocaine.

The arrests occurred on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Apapa port. The Nigerian suspects are Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.

NDLEA prosecutors, led by Director of Prosecution and Legal Services DCGN Theresa Asuquo, argued that the acts violated sections 11(a), 11(b), and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

After a failed no-case submission by the defence, the court ordered the Thai sailors to defend the charges. The sailors then entered a plea bargain with the NDLEA, leading to Justice Osiagor’s ruling on Thursday, May 15.

The court convicted MV Chayanee Naree for unlawfully transporting 32.9kg of cocaine and fined it $4 million or its naira equivalent. The 2nd to 11th defendants were convicted under section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the vessel’s use in the crime. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants (Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen) were ordered to pay ₦100,000 each and $50,000 each in restitution to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The 5th to 11th defendants were fined ₦100,000 each and $30,000 each in restitution, totalling $4,360,000. The trial of the nine Nigerian suspects was adjourned to Wednesday, June 25.

NDLEA’s prosecution team included A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi, while the defence was led by Senior Advocates Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) stated, “The court ruling was 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 praised the NDLEA team and Apapa Strategic Command for their diligence and urged them to pursue the pending case against the Nigerian suspects.