By AAdo Oyeyemi
Four Nigerians have been arrested in India over alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network after security operatives recovered narcotics estimated at ₹15 crore, about N2.1bn.
The arrests followed a series of coordinated operations involving India’s Narcotics Control Bureau, state police and other security agencies targeting foreign nationals suspected of drug trafficking and illegal overstaying.
The investigation reportedly began on July 18 after intelligence from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force led operatives to Khanpur in Delhi, where Nigerian national, Obase Prosper Ogboronjor, was arrested with more than five kilogrammes of amphetamine.
The NCB also alleged that Ogboronjor was wanted in connection with a cyber-fraud investigation involving about ₹68 lakh. The agency further claimed that he had remained in India despite the expiration of his medical visa in June 2023.
A follow-up operation on July 21 took investigators to Hans Enclave in Gurugram, where another Nigerian, Abuchi George Okorie, was arrested. Operatives reportedly recovered 9.7kg of amphetamine and 67.84kg of pseudoephedrine from the location.
The NCB said pseudoephedrine was particularly significant because the controlled substance could be used in the illegal production of methamphetamine. It also alleged that Okorie had remained in India after the expiry of his medical attendant visa in 2015.
Further investigations led security operatives to a property in Mehrauli, Delhi, on August 3, where 318 grammes of cocaine and six grammes of heroin were allegedly recovered.
Two other Nigerians, identified as Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie Joshua Igwe, were arrested during the operation. The NCB alleged that both men had been living illegally in India for more than 13 years. An unidentified African woman was also injured after allegedly attempting to escape from the premises by jumping from a balcony.
Following the operations, the NCB warned hotels, guest houses, landlords and other accommodation providers to comply with regulations governing foreign nationals. The agency also announced plans for a nationwide fortnight-long operation, code-named “Trinetra”, in September to identify illegally overstaying foreign nationals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
