The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been urged to consider reviewing its stance on drugs found on board ships.
Suresh Prabhakar, director of operations at Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong, made the call at a maritime security conference organised by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO) in Lagos recently.
Speaking on the theme ‘Drugs and Human Smuggling/Trafficking: the Evolving Maritime Security Threats to Ships and Seafarers,’ Suresh said from February 2021 to July 2024, a troubling trend emerged in Nigeria, when four bulk carriers laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, became embroiled in drug-related incidents that had far-reaching consequences for both the ship owners and the crew members.
“Each of these ships was found to have significant quantities of cocaine on board, ranging from 18 to 43 kilograms, leading to prolonged detentions by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he said.
According to him, each ship faced delays of four to six months while investigations were carried out, only to be released after the owners posted substantial bonds, ranging from $2 to $5 million
On average, he said, 10 crew members per ship were detained, and their bail was set at $40,000 per person.
He said the $400,000 bail money for 10 crew members, did little to alleviate the psychological and emotional toll of their extended detention.
He said the crew who spent about 20 months before being released after numerous court hearings, were the most affected.
“For the remaining two ships, the crew members are still detained in Lagos, with their court cases ongoing,” he said.
Suresh said one crew has been in detention for 34 months, while the other has endured 13 months of confinement.
Learn more
