Photo caption: Drug syndicate
Indian authorities have arrested eight individuals—seven of them Nigerian nationals—for allegedly possessing narcotics worth over ₹1 crore.
The crackdown, which originated in Noida, led to a series of high-profile arrests in Delhi over a three-day span.
The Times of India, on Saturday, reported that the officials said the operation began with the June 16 arrest of Bimal Pahadi, a Nepali national, from Sector 39.
Police recovered 1.6 kg of sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine from him. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was promptly registered.
During interrogation, Pahadi reportedly disclosed details of a wider drug syndicate, prompting raids in Delhi on June 18 and 19.
“Based on the information provided by Pahadi, a team conducted back-to-back raids in Delhi and apprehended seven others involved in the supply network,” The Times of India reported.
The arrested Nigerian nationals have been identified as: Ugochukmv John alias David; Nnajiofor Peter Nmaemeka; Henry Onuchukwu; Ojukwa Ifenya; Friday Tobias Chikwu; Okolie Romanus.
An Indian national, Lal Kothari, a resident of Aizawl, Mizoram, was also arrested during the operation.
All seven accused were arraigned before the court on June 20, while Pahadi remains in custody for further interrogation.
Authorities suspect the group was operating as part of a transnational narcotics ring using Delhi and Noida as distribution hubs.
“This is a significant blow to an organised, cross-border drug syndicate. The network appears to have far-reaching international connections,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are likely in the coming days, the agency concluded.
