NDLEA arrests 22 Indian crew members after seizing 31.5 kg of cocaine from MV Aruna Hülya at Lagos' Apapa Port.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has seized 31.5 kilograms of cocaine during an operation at Apapa Port in Lagos. The drugs were found aboard the bulk carrier MV Aruna Hülya, operated by the Turkish maritime company Aruna Shipping. All 22 crew members, who are Indian nationals, along with the ship's captain, were taken into custody.
The incident occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, after the vessel arrived at the GDNL Terminal in Lagos, having departed from the Port of Santos in Brazil. According to a statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the drug package was discovered in the ship's No. 3 hold.
NDLEA officials confirmed that the ship's captain, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and the other 21 crew members were detained as part of the ongoing investigation. All personnel aboard the ship are of Indian nationality.
International maritime records indicate that the MV Aruna Hülya (IMO: 9635391) is owned by Aruna Shipping, based in Istanbul. This Supramax-class bulk carrier, built in 2012, is operated by a Turkish owner while flying the Marshall Islands flag. The company's fleet includes other vessels with similar characteristics, such as Aruna Ece and Aruna Cihan.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increasing drug seizures at West African ports. Authorities have noted that vessels arriving from South America, particularly Brazil/Santos, are frequently targeted by drug cartels.
In a similar incident last November in Lagos, another vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, saw 20 Filipino seafarers arrested on similar charges.
The Bigger Picture: NDLEA announced last month that it intercepted a massive cocaine shipment of 1,000 kilograms in a container at the port.
Nigerian authorities reported that the ship and crew would remain in custody until legal proceedings are completed. No official statement has yet been made by Aruna Shipping.
Source: www.denizhaber.com
