Authorities in India have dismantled a suspected transnational drug syndicate following a sweeping three-day operation that led to the arrest of eight individuals—seven of whom are Nigerian nationals.
The operation, which began in Noida and extended into the capital city of Delhi, resulted in the seizure of narcotics valued at over ₹1 crore. According to reports from The Times of India, the breakthrough came on June 16 when a Nepali national, Bimal Pahadi, was apprehended in Sector 39, Noida.
Law enforcement officers recovered 1.6 kilograms of sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine during the arrest. A case was promptly registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)
Act.Pahadi’s subsequent interrogation revealed crucial information about a broader trafficking network, prompting raids in various parts of Delhi on June 18 and 19. These raids culminated in the arrest of seven more individuals allegedly linked to the narcotics operation.
The Nigerian nationals arrested 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 in Mizoram, was also arrested during the operation.
All seven suspects were arraigned in court on June 20, while Bimal Pahadi remains in custody for ongoing interrogation.
A senior police official, speaking anonymously, described the arrests as a “significant blow” to a well-organised, international drug network. Authorities believe that the syndicate used Delhi and Noida as key distribution hubs for trafficking illegal substances.
Investigations remain active, with further arrests expected as the operation expands across possible cross-border connections.
