CHAYANEE NAREE

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Court convicts 10 crew members and ship for cocaine trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai crew members of the 'Chayanee Naree' for trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria from Brazil through the Apapa seaport. The convicted sailors 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 arrested alongside nine Nigerian suspects on Oct 13, 2021 and arraigned in February 2022 on charges bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful importation of narcotic. On May 15, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, delivered the judgment following a plea bargain agreement entered into by the convicted crew members with the NDLEA. Justice Osiagor convicted the vessel under Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act and imposed a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent for its role in smuggling the illicit drug into Nigeria. 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. Among other penalties, the judge convicted the '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. Justice Osiagor adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.

Arrest in Lagos

The 'Chayanee' was arrested by the Federal High Court in Lagos on Oct 28, 2021. The order came into force on Oct 29. A case was filed by to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with 32.9 kilos of cocaine found in cargo hold of the ship on Oct 15 after a week-long search. The ship and the crew have been arrested for a period of 14 days, pending the results of investigation.