22 Indian Crew Arrested After 31.5 Kg Cocaine Found In Merchant Ship At Nigeria’s Lagos Port

The drug enforcement agency of Nigeria arrested 22 crew members, all from India, after confiscating 31.5 kilograms of cocaine from the hatch of a merchant ship at the Port of Lagos.

The seizure happened on January 2, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Aruna Hulya, which had sailed from the Marshall Islands.

The operation was carried out at one of Nigeria’s busiest ports, and all the crew members were taken for questioning.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the origin of the drugs.

Among those detained was the ship’s captain, Sharma Shashi Bushan.

Nigeria has had a long history of being a significant transit and production centre for narcotics destined for parts of Africa and even Europe.

The Nigerian Drug Enforcement Agency said it was collaborating with its U.S and British counterparts to investigate a cartel with links to the importation of around 1000 kilograms of cocaine found in a container at the Lagos Port.

In November 2025, the agency arrested 20 Filipino seafarers trying to ship 20 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil to the Lagos Port.

In another operation, the agency arrested the 65-year-old Fatima Ilori, known as “Mama Kerosine,” a distributor of illegal drugs. Along with her, the police arrested 35-year-old Olusanya Abosede after finding 238.4 kilograms of skunk, a potent kind of cannabis.

The agency also arrested those who were linked to supplying drugs to Borno state insurgents. The 26-year old Isa Mohammed was arrested with 9150 ampoules of tramadol injections near the Maiduri-Gamboru Ngala Road on January 2, 2026, per The Nigeria Guardian.

On the same day, 30-year-old Musa Samalia was caught with 34,000 tramadol capsules at Biu Market.

Officers of Nigeria’s Drug Enforcement Agency are organising campaigns about the dangers of drug abuse in schools, offices, worship centres, and local communities to raise awareness among the public regarding the harmful effects of these substances.

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the officials involved in the crackdowns and anti-drug operations.

Source: Maritime Shipping News