Current Affairs

Nigerian Court Fines Indian Crew and Bulker $6M in Drug Smuggling Case

Nigeria's Federal High Court accepted a plea deal on June 11, 2026, with 11 Indian nationals and the Marshall Islands-flagged Supramax bulker Aruna Hulya, which was caught smuggling 31.5 kg of cocaine in January 2026 at Lagos's Apapa seaport. The vessel was fined approximately $5.3 million, while the master and two senior officers were each fined $100,000, and eight crewmembers $50,000 each, totaling approximately $6 million. The case is part of Nigeria's crackdown on drug trafficking through West African ports.