A Nigerian court has convicted a Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel and 11 Indian nationals in a major drug trafficking case, imposing a combined financial penalty of USD 5.3 million. The ruling was delivered after authorities concluded that the ship was involved in the importation of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Indian nationals, including the vessel’s captain identified as Sharma Shashi Bhushan, were arrested approximately six months ago. Operatives of the agency detained the crew after discovering an alleged shipment of 31.5 kilogrammes of cocaine transported from the Marshall Islands into Nigerian territory.
The NDLEA stated that the conviction was secured under relevant provisions of its governing law. Justice Joseph Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court found both the vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, and its crew guilty in connection with the drug trafficking charges brought against them. The court subsequently imposed financial sanctions on both the ship and the individuals involved.
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As part of the judgment, the court ordered the vessel to pay a restitution fine of USD 5.3 million to the Nigerian government. In addition, the three principal officers on board were directed to pay USD 100,000 each, while the remaining crew members were fined USD 50,000 each. Each defendant was also separately fined 100,000 Nigerian naira. The NDLEA said the case highlights its continued crackdown on international drug trafficking operations using Nigerian ports as transit points.
Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) said the conviction sends a strong warning to trafficking networks that Nigeria will not tolerate the movement of illicit drugs through its territory. The agency added that enhanced surveillance and enforcement at key entry points have led to increased detection of smuggling attempts, and that cooperation with international maritime authorities remains central to its strategy for combating drug-related crimes.
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