Nigerian arrested in India for drug trafficking

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 A Nigerian national, Jacob Nnabuike Ugwu, has been arrested in connection with the supply of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) drugs across India. 

Indore crime branch, Madhya Pradesh, announced the arrest in a statement on Monday, May 5, 2025. 

Ugwu was apprehended from Krishna Puri in Delhi, where he lived for the past two to three years under the guise of running a refreshment shop. 

"The arrest of the Nigerian person, Jacob Nnabuike Ugwu (37), follows the earlier seizure of approximately 36 grams of MD drugs, a Tata Altroz car, and mobile phones from two other accused, identified as Hariom Jha (26) and Lakshya Singh Rajput (26)," Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya said. 

He added that the Nigerian accused is believed to be orchestrating drug trafficking across the country through his network of associates.

"The accused is a native of Nigeria, originally from Enugu City. He confessed to residing in Delhi for the past 2-3 years, running a refreshment shop, and supplying MD drugs through other members of his gang for the past year," he said.

Earlier, the Indore crime branch team received credible information that Jha and Rajput, in a Tata Altroz car, were involved in supplying MD drugs near the MR10 Bridge. Approximately 36 grams of illegal MD drugs, the Tata Altroz car, mobile phones, etc., were seized from their possession. 

A case under Crime Number 81/25, Section 8/22 of the NDPS Act, was registered against the accused at the crime branch police station.

During police remand, the accused revealed that they procured the MD drugs for trafficking from a Nigerian supplier in Delhi named Jacob, he said. 

Indore police have booked all three accused under Sections 8 and 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. 

The Nigerian national has been placed under police remand for further interrogation regarding his network and the involvement of other accomplices.

Rajesh added that additional arrests are likely as the investigation expands into the larger network of suppliers and peddlers linked to the accused. 

The Indore Crime Branch is coordinating with the Delhi police and central agencies to trace the source of the narcotics and the financial trail behind the illegal operation.