The shipping community is facing yet another drug trafficking case, following the arrest of 20 Filipino sailors in Nigeria on drug trafficking charges.
More specifically, 20 Filipino sailors were arrested in Lagos, Nigeria, when authorities discovered at least 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden beneath the ship’s cargo, according to reports published on Saturday, November 22.
The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, which makes voyages from South America to West Africa, had departed from Brazil before arriving at the port of Lagos. The cocaine was found by Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency, resulting in the detention of all 20 crew members, all of whom are Philippine nationals.
This is another incident that clearly shows how vulnerable the crews of ships operating in high-risk ports, such as those in Latin America, are. It is known that large cartels operate in these ports, exporting large quantities of drugs every year.
Let’s hope the crew is cleared quickly and manages to leave Nigeria, as the detention conditions in the West African country are not easy for anyone.
