The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 22 Indian sailors and uncovered a large consignment of illicit drugs concealed in coffee packages aboard a foreign vessel berthed at a Nigerian seaport.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said the suspects were arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out by NDLEA operatives at the port following credible information on suspected drug trafficking activities involving the vessel.

According to him, a thorough search of the ship led to the discovery of multiple parcels of suspected hard drugs ingeniously concealed inside sacks and packs of coffee to evade detection by security agencies.

He said preliminary tests conducted on the recovered substances confirmed that they were illicit drugs, while further laboratory analysis would determine the exact weight and composition.

“The 22 sailors, all of Indian nationality, were taken into custody after NDLEA officers uncovered the drugs hidden in coffee consignments aboard the vessel.

“The suspects are currently undergoing investigation to establish their level of involvement, the origin of the drugs and the intended destination,” Babafemi said.

He added that the arrest was part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking networks using Nigerian ports as transit routes.

The NDLEA spokesman noted that the agency had intensified surveillance at seaports, airports and land borders to prevent criminal syndicates from exploiting Nigeria’s maritime corridors.

Babafemi reiterated the commitment of the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, to sustaining the offensive against drug trafficking and ensuring that those involved are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He warned traffickers and their collaborators that the agency would continue to deploy modern intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to frustrate their operations.

The NDLEA urged members of the public to provide timely and useful information that could aid the fight against drug abuse and trafficking across the country.