Working Conditions Aboard the Aruna-Hulya

In a significant drug trafficking case, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended the Indian crew members of the vessel 'Aruna Hulya' after a remarkable seizure of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine was made. The illicit cargo was discovered in hatch 3 of the ship at the GDNL terminal in Apapa port, Lagos, on January 2. The vessel's captain, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, along with ten other crew members—Bharati Manoj Kumar, Nevage Sandesh Suresh, Pandey Prashant, Nuttu Anand, Akash Babu, Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad, Melethil Insaf Rahman, Barla Chantanya Krishna, Prabhasukhan Singu, and Jai Parkash—faced charges during the legal proceedings in suit number. After months of deliberation, the trial judge issued a ruling on June 11 regarding the plea bargain terms presented by the prosecution and defense. Ultimately, all twelve defendants were found guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act and were each ordered to pay a fine of N100,000 as a penalty. Furthermore, the vessel itself was mandated to compensate the federal government with a restitution amount of $5,300,000 or its equivalent in naira. The three principal officers of the ship—Bhushan, Bhalerad, and Rahman—are required to pay $100,000 each, while the remaining crew members (fifth to twelfth defendants) were instructed to pay $50,000 each as restitution. Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commented on the judgment, noting that it marks the third such conviction in recent months involving foreign nationals and vessels on similar charges. This success is credited to the NDLEA’s proactive intelligence-led operations that ensure security at every port of entry. The 'Aruna Hulya' remains anchored in the Bay of Benin at position 06° 21' N 003° 20' E.

In a significant drug enforcement operation, Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended 22 crew members from the Indian vessel 'Aruna Huya' following the seizure of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine. The maritime crackdown occurred on January 2, 2026, at the primary seaport in Lagos, where law enforcement discovered the illicit substances during a thorough inspection of the ship. 'Aruna Huya' had docked on December 26, 2025, and remained anchored in the harbor as of January 6, 2026. Law enforcement officials revealed that the cocaine was skillfully concealed in Hatch 3 of the vessel. Among those arrested were the ship's captain and 21 other crew members, all of whom are currently undergoing interrogation. Authorities have initiated an investigation to trace the origins of the narcotics, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.