Major multi-State raids disrupt nationwide drug cartel network run by Nigerian handlers in India

A coordinated operation by EAGLE, Telangana with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi Police Crime Branch and support from the Noida Police has cracked open a nationwide drug syndicate run by Nigerian handlers operating across multiple States.

The raids were carried out at 20 locations in Delhi along with follow-up actions in Noida, Gwalior and Visakhapatnam, leading to the arrest of more than 50 Nigerians overstaying their visa and several associates involved in handling mule accounts, logistics and drug distribution.

The officers identified key operatives including Titing Guite (₹3.72 crore credited across her mule accounts), Yuvraj Solanki (₹1.98 crore credited) and Badruddin (₹15 lakh credited into six accounts) along with his associate Sama Umar. Investigators said the money flows showed no link to any legitimate business activity. The raids followed intelligence gathered after drug parcels and communication channels linked to a Nigerian operator, named Nick, were tracked across various Delhi neighbourhoods, prompting surveillance involving multiple agencies.

Drugs concealed in parcels

The network had been supplying narcotics to more than two thousand consumers and peddlers using dozens of mule bank accounts and a vast courier system. Parcels dispatched from areas including Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, Munirka, Nilothi and other colonies were routinely stuffed with drugs concealed inside shoes, shirts, cosmetics and similar goods. Courier firms across the board were used, and thousands of parcel records, POD sheets and CCTV clips were examined to map the operation.

Consumers sourced drugs through courier shipments

Investigators identified eleven Hyderabad-based consumers who sourced drugs directly from the cartel through courier shipments and transferring money to mule account. Several major consumers and peddlers in other states were also traced through cash deposits, courier trails and bank records. In all, fifty-nine mule accounts were uncovered, with the top twenty-seven alone showing credits of nearly ₹7.9 crore through more than two thousand suspect transactions.

Police teams found that many Nigerian handlers had made extensive online purchases to facilitate drug concealment. They also observed that parcels were dispatched in bulk from courier hubs in parts of Delhi that have become hotspots for illegal activity. In one case, a raid team recovered cocaine and methamphetamine hidden in a fridge.

A contingent of 124 Eagle Force personnel travelled to Delhi and joined teams from the Crime Branch, NCB and Noida Police. Surveillance had been underway for over two weeks and senior officers carried out ground reconnaissance on foot to plan the raids. The teams assembled before dawn on the day of the operation and continued work late into the evening while technical units tracked devices, movements and financial nodes.

Three women linked to the syndicate were caught in Visakhapatnam after intelligence indicated they had flown out of Delhi. They were found to have supplied drugs to university students in the city. Multiple other arrests were made in Noida and Gwalior where local police leadership assisted in coordinating ground action.

Officers seized 5,340 Ecstasy pills, 250 grams of cocaine, 109 grams of heroin and 250 grams of methamphetamine valued at about ₹3.5 crore, along with substantial cash. Delhi Police have taken custody of the foreign nationals and the seized material for further legal action, and dozens of deportation procedures are underway.

Senior officials involved in the operation said the investigation revealed unchecked misuse of banking channels and courier networks. They added that many foreign nationals had entered India on student visas but had no academic attendance and were instead involved in drug sales and sex work while living in clusters.

Factors critical to cartel’s operations

Authorities said many offenders repeatedly return to India on new passports after deportation and called for stronger scrutiny of visa extensions, monitoring of banking activities and courier regulation. They also noted the role of Indian facilitators who provide mule accounts and rental accommodation, saying these networks are critical to the cartel’s operations.

Police leadership across Delhi, Telangana, Noida, Gwalior and Visakhapatnam coordinated for the operation, which officials described as a significant disruption to a widespread drug supply chain stretching across the country.