LAGOS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian navy said on Thursday that 22 suspects were arrested with 32.9 kg of cocaine seized from a cargo ship departing from Brazil to Nigeria in a recent operation against drug trafficking.

Bashir Mohammed, a Nigerian navy commander, told a news conference that the 22 suspects were arrested on a cargo ship by a joint team led by the Nigerian navy, following an intelligence report from the Interpol.

"Acting on credible intelligence from Interpol, the Nigerian navy commenced tracking of the vessel suspected of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria," Mohammed said.

He said the vessel entered Nigerian waters on Oct. 8.

"Upon entering Nigerian waters, the vessel was intercepted ... and escorted to Nigerian Ports Authority where the vessel berthed and was taken into custody by the Nigerian navy," Mohammed said.

The suspected vessel was thoroughly searched by a combined team of Nigerian navy, Interpol Nigeria, Nigerian Custom Service and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency beginning on Saturday, said the navy officer, adding that a bag containing 32.9 kg of cocaine was found on Wednesday in the vessel's cargo compartment.

He said all people involved in the nefarious act would be prosecuted according to the laws of the country. Enditem

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