Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest of 22 Indian nationals serving as crew members on a merchant vessel, following the discovery of 31.5 kilograms of high-grade cocaine hidden aboard the ship during a thorough search at Apapa Port, Lagos—the country's busiest maritime gateway. The operation, executed with precision on January 2, represents another significant blow to international drug syndicates exploiting West African shipping routes.

The vessel in question, MV Aruna Hulya, flies the flag of the Marshall Islands and had reportedly sailed from South American origins, a common departure point for cocaine shipments destined for global markets. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed in a detailed statement that the illicit substance was strategically concealed in compartments accessible only to crew members, suggesting potential insider involvement in the smuggling attempt.

Nigeria has long been identified by international agencies, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as a critical transshipment hub for cocaine produced in Latin America and bound primarily for Europe, Asia, and other African nations. The country's extensive coastline and high-volume ports facilitate sophisticated concealment methods, challenging law enforcement despite increased surveillance and intelligence-sharing partnerships.

Also Read: 26 Dead, 14 Missing After Overloaded Boat Capsizes in Northeastern Nigeria

This incident aligns with a series of recent high-profile maritime seizures in Lagos. In November 2025, authorities apprehended 20 Filipino sailors aboard a separate ship carrying at least 20 kilograms of cocaine originating from Brazil. Earlier that month, a collaborative probe involving NDLEA, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Britain's National Crime Agency targeted a major cartel responsible for importing over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a commercial container at the same port complex.

The 22 detained Indian crew members remain under interrogation as Nigerian authorities work to unravel the full supply chain, potential accomplices onshore, and the intended onward distribution network. Such arrests underscore the escalating multinational efforts to dismantle transnational organized crime groups leveraging commercial shipping for narcotics trafficking, with implications for enhanced port security protocols across the region.

Also Read: Trump Orders Christmas Day Airstrikes on ISIS in Nigeria to Protect Christians