Court Convicts 11 Indian Sailors for Cocaine Trafficking

On June 11, 2026, the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted eleven Indian sailors associated with the merchant vessel MV Aruna Hulya for trafficking 31.5 kilograms of cocaine. The court, presided over by Justice Joseph Anek, imposed a fine of 100,000 naira on each convict and ordered the vessel to pay restitution of $5.3 million to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The sailors were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery of the illicit drugs concealed in a hatch of the ship during an inspection at Apapa Seaport on January 2, 2026. The convicts entered a plea bargain agreement, resulting in their conviction under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi stated that this conviction serves as a strong warning to international drug trafficking syndicates. Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, the NDLEA Chairman, emphasized Nigeria's commitment to combating drug trafficking.