Nigerian law enforcement has dealt a significant blow to international drug syndicates following the seizure of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine at the country’s premier maritime gateway. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed on Sunday that 22 Indian crew members were taken into custody in connection with the illicit discovery.
The high-stakes operation unfolded on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) terminal within the Apapa Port in Lagos. Operatives acting on intelligence-led surveillance boarded the MV Aruna Hulya, a merchant vessel that had recently arrived from the Marshall Islands via known high-risk maritime corridors.
Discovery in the Cargo Hold
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the narcotics were found meticulously concealed within hatch three of the bulk carrier. The seized shipment, weighing approximately 31.5 kg, is estimated to have a significant street value, highlighting West Africa’s persistent challenge as a transit hub for cocaine destined for European and Asian markets.
Among those detained is the Master of the Vessel, Sharma Shashi Bhushan. The remaining 21 crew members, all of Indian nationality, are currently being held for questioning as investigators work to determine the extent of their involvement and the intended final destination of the drugs.
A Pattern of Heightened Vigilance
This arrest is the latest in a series of aggressive interdictions by Nigerian authorities aimed at purging the nation’s ports of criminal activity. The incident mirrors a similar bust in late 2025 involving the MV San Antonio, where 20 Filipino sailors were arrested after 25.5 kg of cocaine was discovered hidden in a sugar shipment from Brazil.
“This seizure is part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks that attempt to use Nigeria as a corridor,” Babafemi stated. The NDLEA has recently intensified its collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to track the financiers and “kingpins” behind these shipments.
Regional Maritime Security Under Scrutiny
The Gulf of Guinea has long been a focal point for maritime security, primarily due to piracy. However, as piracy rates have fluctuated, narcotics trafficking has emerged as a dominant threat. Criminal organizations frequently exploit the complex structure of oceangoing vessels, hiding contraband in compartments that require specialized equipment or deep-intelligence reports to locate.
Experts suggest that the use of foreign merchant crews to ferry smaller, “manageable” quantities of cocaine—typically between 20 kg and 50 kg is a tactical shift by cartels to minimize losses if a vessel is intercepted.
The incident has also drawn attention from international stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of cooperative security frameworks beyond maritime law enforcement — including broader defence collaborations involving Indian forces. Read more on evolving India-Egypt military exercises.
Legal Next Steps
The 22 sailors have been transferred to the NDLEA’s State Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos. Under Nigerian law, drug trafficking carries severe penalties, and the vessel itself could face permanent forfeiture if found to be consistently used for smuggling.
The Indian High Commission in Nigeria has been notified of the arrests, and consular access is expected to be granted as the investigation enters its next phase. For now, the MV Aruna Hulya remains under court-ordered detention at the Apapa Port, serving as a stark reminder of the risks facing global maritime crews in the crosshairs of the international war on drugs.
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