Indian authorities have arrested 50 Nigerian nationals following a major bust of a transnational drug and hawala network operating across several cities in the country.
The Delhi Crime Branch, which led the operation, said months of intelligence gathering culminated in the arrests, NDTV reported on Thursday, November 27.
The crackdown was carried out with substantial support from the Telangana Police’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement.
A 120-man team from Telangana reportedly travelled to Delhi in two dedicated train coaches and spent weeks conducting surveillance and raids on locations linked to the cartel.
Investigators said the syndicate operated from Delhi but expanded its drug supply routes to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, and Kerala, dealing primarily in methamphetamine and cocaine.
The network allegedly used encrypted communication and “dead-drop” delivery methods to avoid face-to-face contact and detection by police.
Security officials also uncovered links between the cartel and sex work rings, which were reportedly used to disguise drug distribution activities.
Authorities revealed that the syndicate had a customer base of at least 2,000 people who received drugs through courier services and covert drop-off points.
Parallel financial investigations showed proceeds from the drug trade were channelled through local hawala operators, with funds converted into goods such as clothing and human hair, then shipped to Lagos State.
Officials estimated that the suspected kingpin laundered more than Rs 15 crore (over ₦3bn) through the network.
The arrest of the 50 Nigerians has been described as one of India’s largest coordinated crackdowns on a foreign-led crime network, prompting authorities to strengthen verification processes for foreign nationals and tighten visa controls to prevent re-entry of previously deported offenders.
