Indian police have dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate allegedly operated by Nigerian nationals, arresting two men and seizing large quantities of cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy) with an estimated street value of about US$600,000, authorities said.
The operation, led by Delhi Police’s Special Cell, began in early December 2025 following a tip-off about a Nigerian national suspected of supplying synthetic drugs and cocaine across south Delhi. According to investigators, the suspect had previously been linked to drug-related cases and was believed to be operating as part of a wider, organised network.
After placing the suspect under surveillance, officers analysed his mobile phone data, communication patterns and financial movements. This digital trail reportedly exposed links to a second Nigerian national, who was later tracked, arrested and found in possession of additional MDMA tablets during a follow-up operation.
Police say the syndicate relied heavily on encrypted and foreign-registered WhatsApp numbers to avoid detection. Drugs were allegedly distributed through a layered system involving local intermediaries, allowing the core operators to remain insulated from street-level transactions. The network is believed to have supplied narcotics not only within Delhi but also to neighbouring states in northern India.
Investigators further allege that the two arrested men were working under the direction of a “kingpin” based in Nigeria, suggesting a transnational supply chain stretching from West Africa to India’s urban drug markets. While authorities have not disclosed the identity of the alleged ringleader, they say efforts are underway to trace financial flows and communication links connecting the India-based operatives to handlers abroad.
According to police statements, both suspects entered India several years ago on valid business visas, ostensibly for garment trading activities. Investigators claim that after encountering financial difficulties, the men gradually became involved in drug trafficking, eventually embedding themselves in a larger international syndicate dealing in high-value narcotics such as cocaine and MDMA.
Senior police officials described the bust as part of a broader crackdown on foreign-linked drug networks operating in India’s major cities. “The use of overseas communication platforms, international handlers and local delivery agents points to a sophisticated and well-structured operation,” a police source said, adding that the syndicate showed clear signs of organised crime rather than isolated dealing.
The arrests come amid growing concern among Indian authorities about the rise of synthetic drugs, particularly MDMA, in urban nightlife circuits and among young users. Law enforcement agencies say international syndicates increasingly view India as both a lucrative consumer market and a transit hub due to its large population, expanding urban centres and complex logistics networks.
Police say further investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the syndicate, including Indian nationals who may have acted as couriers or facilitators. Authorities are also coordinating with central agencies to explore possible international cooperation, including intelligence-sharing with foreign law enforcement bodies, to dismantle the wider network.
The two suspects remain in custody, and additional arrests are expected as the probe deepens.
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