Combating drug trafficking from Nigerian ports

As Nigeria battles escalating drug trafficking in its maritime corridors, a sense of urgency grips both domestic and international stakeholders, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) push for integration into the Deep Blue Project underscoring the severity of the situation, ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA reports.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) proposed integration into the Deep Blue Project to enhance the protection of Nigeria’s maritime space has, again, raised concern over the rising threat of drug trafficking through the waterways.

The Deep Blue Project, a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Defence, is domiciled in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It involves contributions from various security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

But the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), recently urged NIMASA Director-General Dr Dayo Mobereola, to integrate the NDLEA Marine Command into the project.

Marwa emphasised that recent seizures of illicit drugs at Lagos ports highlighted the urgent need for collaboration to secure the seaports against drug smuggling.

In response, Mobereola assured Marwa that NIMASA would explore avenues to incorporate NDLEA personnel into the Deep Blue Project’s maritime security framework.
Nigeria’s seaports are increasingly being exploited as transit points for illicit drugs, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and international stakeholders.

Despite ongoing efforts to combat the issue, the country’s strategic position on the West African coast and its dominance in trade shipments make its ports attractive conduits for the global drug trade.

Reports indicate a surge in drug seizures at key Nigerian ports, including Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port in Lagos and Onne Port in Rivers State. Traffickers smuggle drugs such as narcotics, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, opioids, codeine syrup and tramadol, exploiting gaps in port security, inadequate infrastructure and the high volume of legitimate cargo. Investigations have linked these drug shipments to international syndicates operating in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) revealed it made 105 seizures of narcotics and other illicit drugs in 2024, aided by a state of emergency declaration at major entry points.

In October 2024, the NCS intercepted four 40-foot containers of illicit drugs worth N1.18 billion smuggled into the country through Apapa Port. Similarly, in November 2024, the Tin Can Island Command displayed three 40-foot containers of narcotics and illicit drugs from India, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as 341.025 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at N682 million.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, also declared a state of emergency at the Onne Port Complex due to the persistent importation of illicit goods.

In 2024, the NDLEA seized over 2.6 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs, arrested more than 18,500 offenders, and secured the convictions of over 3,250 individuals, including 10 drug barons.

However, many illicit shipments are mis-declared or concealed among legitimate goods, complicating detection efforts of illicit goods. The vast scale of these operations, combined with the involvement of organised criminal groups, has exacerbated the problem, contributing to a growing crisis of drug addiction among youths.

Drug smuggling activities are orchestrated by large, well-organised cartels with significant funding and extensive intelligence networks. These cartels gather critical information on ship design configurations and routing schedules to aid their illicit operations.

The Director of Operations at Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong, Suresh Prabhakar, highlighted that drug smuggling aboard ships has surged dramatically in the last four years.

He said cartels exploit weaknesses in port security to hide drugs on ships, often without the crew’s knowledge. He noted that while the primary destination ports are in Western Europe, the United States, and Australia, intermediate ports in Africa and other regions are sometimes used for transshipment before the drugs reach their final destinations.

During a maritime security conference last year, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed grave concern over the rising maritime threats, particularly those related to drug trafficking. He warned that Nigerian waters are increasingly being used as transit routes for illicit activities and underscored the urgent need to combat these transnational crimes effectively.

The economic impact of the trend
The economic ramifications of drug smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports are profound, as ship owners, crews, importers and terminal operators face significant financial losses.

Experts from enforcement agencies such as the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Interpol, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Police in Brazil have highlighted the increasing challenges of curtailing drug cartel activities.

According to Suresh Prabhakar, the persistence of drug smuggling activities is driven by demand in consuming countries like the United States, Europe, Australia, and Nigeria.

He noted that as long as this demand exists, the problem may continue for over a century. In countries where drugs are discovered on vessels, the financial burden on ship owners is immense.

Ships and crews are often detained for extended periods, leading to lost revenue from vessel delays, legal costs, crew salaries, and associated expenses. For example, between February 2021 and July 2024, four bulk carriers laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, to Lagos were found to have concealed cocaine ranging from 18 to 43 kilogramme per ship.

These discoveries, Prabhakar stated, resulted in ship delays of four to six months, with owners posting bonds between $2 million and $5 million. Moreover, Prabhakar stated that approximately half of the crew members on each ship, around 10 per vessel, were detained. Bail for these crew members, allowing them to reside in hotels instead of detention facilities, amounted to $40,000 per individual, totalling $400,000 per ship.

In some cases, such as two ships under investigation, crews were detained for nearly 20 months before being released after multiple court hearings. Prabhakar emphasised that these incidents deter ship owners from engaging in high-risk trade routes, as marine insurers typically do not provide coverage for drug smuggling-related matters.

This lack of insurance, he stated, forces some irresponsible ship owners to abandon their crews after securing the release of their ships, leaving the seafarers to fend for themselves.

He revealed that crews often endure harsh imprisonment conditions, causing severe physical and mental trauma for both them and their families. Even when deemed innocent after years of legal battles, many crew members face career setbacks and financial ruin.

Its impact on shipping industry
The President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and a member of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Emmanuel Maiguwa, described drug smuggling as a transnational crime exploiting both points of origin and destination.

He explained that maritime transport enables the mobility necessary for these illicit activities, significantly burdening ship owners and importers with financial losses due to prolonged investigations, especially in countries with inadequate legal frameworks and operational capacities. Maiguwa pointed out that importers and shipping operators often pass on the costs incurred from drug-related delays to Nigerian consumers.

He warned that Nigeria’s reputation as a transit hub for drug trafficking could lead to increased surcharges, such as war risk insurance premiums, as the shipping community seeks to protect itself.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and terminal operators also face revenue losses due to port congestion caused by prolonged investigations into drug trafficking cases.

Maiguwa said vessels under investigation occupy berthing space, disrupting logistics and further straining port infrastructure.

Possible Solution
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy emphasised the need for comprehensive strategies to combat drug smuggling. He called for leveraging technological innovations, enhancing intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Prabhakar urged the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to secure high-risk ports and outlined preventive measures implemented by Pacific Basin Shipping In 2023 alone, the company allocated $5.3 million to security initiatives, including, installing barbed wire fencing around ships, and illuminating decks at night. He recommended deploying portable and fixed CCTV cameras for continuous monitoring, patrol boats for offshore monitoring and utilising drones for underwater inspections.

Also, Prabhakar recommended arranging K9 drug detection teams and conducting underwater diving inspections to ensure vessels depart ports drug-free. He emphasised that continuous investment in training, technology, and security reflects a commitment to combating drug cartels and safeguarding crews and assets. By implementing these measures, he said Nigeria can mitigate the economic and social impact of drug smuggling and restore confidence in its maritime sector.