Authorities in Nigeria have detained 22 Indian crew members of a merchant vessel after discovering more than 30kg of cocaine at a Lagos port.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said the drugs were found hidden in a cargo hatch of the MV Aruna Hulya shortly after its arrival at the Apapa Port on Friday. The vessel had reportedly sailed from the Marshall Islands.
Among those held is the ship’s master, Sharma Shashi Bhushan. The NDLEA confirmed on Sunday that all 22 crew members remain in custody as investigations continue into the 31.5 kg haul.
Crackdown on ‘Mama Kerosine’
The maritime seizure was part of a wider New Year crackdown by Nigerian narcotics agents, which saw several high-profile arrests across the country:
- Ibadan: A 65-year-old woman described as a “major drug kingpin,” known locally as “Mama Kerosine,” was arrested following the seizure of nearly 240 kg of cannabis.
- Borno State: Operatives intercepted thousands of ampoules of Tramadol injections destined for insurgent-held areas near the border with Cameroon.
- Logistics Hubs: Agents at a courier company in Lagos uncovered ketamine and ecstasy pills concealed inside sachets of coffee mix and book parcels addressed to the UK and Zambia.
Legal battles at the port
The detention of the MV Aruna Hulya crew follows a similar case involving another vessel, the MV San Antonio. On Monday, a Federal High Court in Lagos extended the detention of that ship and its 21 crew members for a further 14 days.
That vessel was intercepted in December after arriving from Brazil with 25.5 kg of cocaine allegedly hidden within a bulk shipment of sugar.
The NDLEA has ramped up its presence at Nigeria’s international gateways as part of a broader strategy to disrupt the supply chains of both international drug cartels and local insurgent groups.
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