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PH embassy checking on 20 arrested Filipino seamen in Nigeria drug bust

Philippines | National

PH embassy checking on 20 arrested Filipino seamen in Nigeria drug bust

By Raymund Antonio

The Philippine Embassy in Abuja is currently checking on the 20 Filipino seaman arrested in Nigeria after authorities claimed to have found cocaine in their vessel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday, Nov. 24.

DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed that the agency has received a report from the embassy that the all-Filipino crew on board the Panamanian-flagged MV NordBosporus from Brazil “are currently being held by authorities for investigation in Lagos, Nigeria.”

“The Embassy is already in coordination with the manning agency and the Department of Migrant Workers,” she said.

“The Embassy instructed the Philippine Honorary Consul in Lagos to immediately liaise with authorities. The Embassy will also proceed to Lagos to check on the situation of the Filipino seafarers,” the official added.

The arrest came after the discovery of 20 kilograms of cocaine on Nov. 16.

Quoting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), media reports said that the top-grade cocaine was buried under the cargo in the vessel.

While it did not say what type of cargo the vessel carries, ships traversing the Nigerian waters normally transports coal between Brazil and Colombia.

Nigeria has long been believed to be a trafficking and production hub for drugs bound for Europe and other African countries.

Related Tags

DFA Philippine Embassy Filipino seafarers Philippine Embassy in Abuja

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