Thursday, August 20, 2026 - Four Nigerian nationals have been arrested in India over alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network, with narcotics worth approximately ₹15 crore (₦ 2.1 bn) recovered during a series of operations.
The Hindu reported on Wednesday that the arrests followed
coordinated operations by the Narcotics Control Bureau, state police and other
security agencies targeting foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug
trafficking and overstaying their visas in India.
The investigation began on July 18 after intelligence from
the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force led NCB operatives and police to Khanpur,
Delhi.
The agency said, “The operation resulted in the seizure of
over 5 kg of amphetamine and the arrest of a Nigerian national, Obase Prosper
Ogboronjor.”
The NCB said Ogboronjor was also wanted by the Uttar Pradesh
STF in connection with an alleged cyber-fraud case involving approximately ₹68 lakh.
It said, “The accused was also wanted by the STF in a major
cyber-fraud case involving approximately ₹68
lakh,” adding that he had been “overstaying in India despite the expiration of
his medical visa in June 2023.”
An operation on July 21 led investigators to Hans Enclave in
Gurugram, where another Nigerian, Abuchi George Okorie, was arrested.
According to the NCB, “a follow-up action led to the seizure
of 9.7 kg of amphetamine and 67.84 kg of pseudoephedrine from Hans Enclave in
Gurugram, as well as the arrest of another Nigerian national, Abuchi George
Okorie.”
The agency said the substance was of particular concern
because “pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance, is used in the illicit
manufacture of methamphetamine.”
Okorie, according to the NCB, entered India on a medical
attendant visa that was valid until June 2015 but allegedly remained in the
country after it expired.
Further investigations took officers to a property in
Mehrauli, Delhi, on August 3, where more narcotics were recovered.
The NCB said, “Based on the findings, the agency zeroed in
on a premises in Mehrauli, Delhi, from which 318 grams of cocaine and 6 grams
of heroin were seized on August 3.”
Two Nigerian nationals, Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie
Joshua Igwe, were arrested during the operation. The agency alleged that the
pair had “been living illegally for over 13 years.”
An African woman whose identity was yet to be established
also sustained injuries while allegedly attempting to flee from the premises.
The NCB said, “During this operation, one African woman,
whose identity is being established, attempted to escape by jumping from the
balcony, injuring herself. She is currently receiving treatment.”
Following the arrests, the agency urged hotels, guest houses
and landlords to comply with regulations governing foreign nationals staying in
India.
The NCB said, “Hotels, guest houses, landlords and other
accommodation providers are required to comply with the legal provisions
governing the accommodation of foreign nationals, including timely furnishing
of prescribed information regarding their stay to the concerned authorities, as
per the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.”
The agency also announced a nationwide operation to tackle
illegal overstaying and suspected drug trafficking involving foreign nationals.
It said, “To address the issue in a coordinated manner, the
NCB, in association with the State police and immigration authorities, will
launch a fortnight-long nationwide campaign, ‘Trinetra’, in the first week of
September 2026 to identify such illegally overstaying foreign nationals
suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.”
0 Comments