Nigerians arrested in Indian over alleged drugs dealings
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has busted an international drug syndicate operated by Nigerian nationals and arrested 2 foreign citizens, with the seizure of cocaine and MDMA tablets worth around Rs 5 crore ($50 million).
The seized drugs included 418 grams of cocaine and 925 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets found during raids conducted in south and southwest Delhi.
Police said the first accused, identified as Frank Vitus Ume (47), was earlier arrested in an NDPS case by the NCB. He was apprehended after a tip-off on December 2, 2025, and was allegedly supplying psychotropic substances in different parts of Delhi while frequently changing locations to evade arrest. A raid led to the recovery of cocaine and MDMA tablets from his possession.
Based on his disclosure and subsequent technical analysis, the team traced the source of the drugs to another Nigerian national,” said DCP (Crime) Harsh Indora
The co-accused was identified as Sunday Otuu (53), who was arrested from Mehrauli. Police found 15 ecstasy tablets in his rented accommodation.
The accused told police that the syndicate was operated by a kingpin based in Nigeria, identified as Elo Chukwu, who allegedly used couriers, including an African woman residing in Delhi, to deliver drugs concealed in gift packs.
The accused were allegedly coordinating drug deliveries across Delhi and neighbouring states using social media and mobile numbers registered in Nigeria.
Police said Frank came to India in 2012 on a business visa for garment export and later got involved in drug trafficking after facing financial difficulties. Sunday, who arrived in India in 2015, also for business purposes, allegedly joined the syndicate after incurring losses in the clothing trade.
Many more Nigerians had been arrested, prosecuted and jailed in the past by Indian authorities.
