Indian authorities have arrested eight people—seven of them Nigerian nationals—in connection with a narcotics operation reportedly worth over ₹1 crore.
The crackdown began in Noida and led to a series of coordinated arrests in Delhi over three days, according to The Times of India.
The operation started on June 16 with the arrest of Bimal Pahadi, a Nepali national, in Noida’s Sector 39. Police recovered 1.6 kilograms of sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine from him.
A case was immediately filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
During interrogation, Pahadi allegedly revealed information about a broader drug syndicate, prompting further raids in Delhi on June 18 and 19.
“Based on Pahadi’s disclosures, a team carried out successive raids and arrested seven others linked to the supply network,” a police source told The Times of India.
The Nigerians arrested have been identified as Ugochukmv John (also known as David), Nnajiofor Peter Nmaemeka, Henry Onuchukwu, Ojukwa Ifenya, Friday Tobias Chikwu, and Okolie Romanus.
In addition, an Indian citizen, Lal Kothari, from Aizawl in Mizoram, was also taken into custody during the operation.
While Pahadi remains in custody for further questioning, the other seven suspects were arraigned in court on June 20.
Investigators believe the group is part of a larger international drug trafficking network, using Delhi and Noida as key distribution hubs.
“This marks a major disruption of an organised transnational drug ring with suspected international ties,” a senior officer said anonymously.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and have not ruled out more arrests.