Alleged Cocaine Smuggling: Vessel, Crew Members Arraigned

A vessel, MV Cooper Island, its owner and 10 crew members have been arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

They were arraigned for allegedly importing 24 kilograms of Cocaine, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Those arraigned alongside the vessel are Krasnoperov Oleksii, Enesa Julio (Jnr) Pedrogosa, Nonan Ulysses Doria, Torino Jhundhel Adang, Alado Elpe De Pedro, Empedrado Ryan De Jesus, Liquit Niel Morris Auxtero, Akulov Oleg, Frugalidad Francis Cabaluna and Duran Niel Stephen Dias, who are said to be Ukrainians and Estonians.

According to the prosecutor, Mrs Josephine R. Obi, the vessel alongside the defendants was arrested on July 6, 2023, at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.

Obi hinted to Justice Faji that Krasnoperov Oleksii, Enesa Julio (Jnr) Pedrogosa, Nonan Ulysses Doria, Torino Jhundhel Adang, Alado Elpe De Pedro, Empedrado Ryan De Jesus, Liquit Niel Morris Auxtero, Akulov Oleg, Frugalidad Francis Cabaluna and Duran Niel Stephen Dias, conspired among themselves to illegally transport the prohibited narcotic drug from the Port of Santos, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The prosecutor further argued before the judge that the alleged illegal acts of the defendants contravened Sections 14 (b) and 20 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

As a result, their lawyers prayed to the court to allow the bail terms earlier granted to them by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, during the long vacation of the court.

The bail terms, according to their lawyers, were that each of the defendants deposited the sum of $40, 000 USD, which was paid into an 'escrow account'.

Based on the confirmation by the prosecutor that the money had been paid into an escrow account, the court sanctioned the terms.

Justice Faji adjourned until January 17, 18, 13 and 24, 2024, for trial to commence.

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