A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, the MV Aruna Hulya, for trafficking cocaine into Nigeria, imposing financial penalties totaling approximately $6 million.
The conviction follows the discovery of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed aboard the vessel at Apapa Port in Lagos.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), operatives uncovered the illicit drugs during an operation conducted on January 2, leading to the arrest of the ship’s captain, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and 10 other Indian crew members.
The court found all 12 defendants including the vessel itself guilty under Nigeria’s anti-narcotics laws. Under Nigerian law, ships used in drug trafficking can be prosecuted alongside individuals involved in the crime.
NDLEA spokespersons said the conviction was based on an agreed settlement arrangement presented before the court and subsequently endorsed by the presiding judge.
Breakdown of Fines
The court ordered each crew member to pay a fine of ₦100,000. In addition, three senior officers aboard the vessel were fined $100,000 each, while the remaining crew members were ordered to pay $50,000 each.
The vessel was directed to pay $5.3 million in restitution to the Nigerian government. Authorities stated that the ship’s owners would be responsible for settling the penalty. Failure to do so could result in the vessel being auctioned.
Nigeria’s Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
The case is part of a broader effort by Nigerian authorities to combat international drug trafficking through major commercial gateways, particularly Lagos ports.
Nigeria has increasingly strengthened its anti-narcotics operations in recent years as criminal networks continue to use the country as a transit route for illicit drugs destined for Europe, the Middle East, and other international markets.
NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa described the judgment as a strong warning to international drug trafficking syndicates seeking to exploit Nigeria’s maritime corridors.
He said the ruling demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its drug laws and holding both individuals and corporate entities accountable for narcotics-related crimes.
The conviction of the MV Aruna Hulya crew represents one of the most significant maritime drug-trafficking cases in 2026 so far.
