Indian police have arrested eight individuals, including seven Nigerian nationals, in a coordinated crackdown on an alleged international drug trafficking ring operating between Noida and Delhi.
The operation, which unfolded over three days, began on June 16 with the arrest of a Nepali national, Bimal Pahadi, in Noida’s Sector 39. During the arrest, police recovered 1.6 kilograms of sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine from Pahadi. He was taken into custody under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
According to The Times of India, Pahadi’s arrest led to significant intelligence breakthroughs. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to being part of a larger drug syndicate, prompting further police raids in Delhi on June 18 and 19.
The subsequent operations led to the arrest of seven Nigerians, identified as Ugochukmv John (alias David), Nnajiofor Peter Nmaemeka, Henry Onuchukwu, Ojukwa Ifenya, Friday Tobias Chikwu, and Okolie Romanus. Indian national Lal Kothari, a resident of Aizawl in Mizoram, was also arrested during the raids.
All suspects, except Pahadi who remains under further investigation, were arraigned in court on June 20.
Authorities believe the group is part of a transnational drug network, using major Indian cities as distribution hubs. A senior police officer, speaking off the record, described the arrests as a significant blow to a well-organized cross-border cartel with global links.
Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests may follow as law enforcement deepens its probe into the network’s international connections.
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