Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced Friday the arrest of 20 Filipino sailors for allegedly transporting at least 20 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil to Lagos’ main port. The agency said it intercepted the shipment on Sunday aboard a Panama-registered vessel. The cocaine was reportedly concealed under the ship’s cargo, which typically transports coal between Brazil and Colombia. NDLEA did not specify the type of cargo on this trip. The all-Filipino crew has been taken into custody for investigation, the agency said. Nigeria has long been regarded as a hub for drug trafficking and production, with shipments often destined for Europe and other African countries. Earlier this month, NDLEA said it was coordinating with US and UK anti-drug agencies to investigate a cartel linked to the importation of 1,000 kilograms of cocaine discovered in a container at a Lagos port. The announcement comes amid increased US military presence in the Caribbean region, as authorities aim to combat drug trafficking operations based in Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Mexico.
