Indian authorities have deported 32 Nigerians accused of working for a transnational drug network, barely two weeks after security operatives arrested about 50 suspects in a multi‑state narcotics raid.
The arrests formed part of one of India’s largest coordinated crackdowns on a foreign‑run drug and hawala syndicate operating across major cities.
According to Times of India, investigators linked the network to a Nigeria‑based kingpin identified only as “Nick,” who is wanted in several drug‑trafficking cases.
Senior officials of the Elite Anti‑Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) said all the Nigerians arrested in Delhi were allegedly working for him.
“Less than 10 days after the EAGLE team, in coordination with the Delhi police, nabbed 50 Nigerians linked to drug peddling, 32 of them have been deported,” the report stated.
Officials added that Nick maintained about 100 associates in Delhi alone, building what police now describe as a multi‑layered supply chain feeding clients nationwide.
Evidence and Laundering Schemes
A forensic review of digital devices recovered from suspects revealed the network had over 3,000 clients across India. Investigators pieced together customer lists from payment trails, encrypted chats, and delivery contacts.
Payments were often routed through businesses that appeared legitimate but existed primarily to launder drug money. EAGLE’s probe also uncovered a chain of companies allegedly used to clean illicit proceeds.
In one case, a publisher laundered Rs 20 lakh to Nigeria after partnering with the peddlers. Others tied up with businessmen dealing in footwear and apparel to disguise transactions.
Delhi Police moved swiftly to deport 32 of the Nigerian nationals “on priority.” Seven others are facing prosecution after drugs were recovered from them during the raid.
Authorities said the remaining suspects may also be deported pending clearance and documentation reviews.
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