Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday announced the arrest of 22 Indian crew members of a merchant vessel after 31.5 kilogrammes of cocaine were discovered at Lagos’s main port. According to the agency, the seizure was made on January 2 aboard MV *Aruna Hulya*, a ship that originated from the Marshall Islands. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the arrests form part of intensified efforts to curb maritime drug trafficking.
The latest operation follows similar interceptions at the same port. In November, the agency arrested 20 Filipino sailors found transporting at least 20 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil. Earlier that month, the NDLEA disclosed that it was working with United States and British anti-drug agencies to investigate a cartel linked to the importation of 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine seized in a container at a Lagos port. The arrests underscore Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on international drug smuggling networks operating through its seaports.