Drug Network Bust: India Sends 32 Nigerians Home, Traces Kingpin To Nigeria

Following a drug peddling bust, 32 Nigerians linked to a network led by ‘Nick’ have been deported.

The investigation revealed a vast clientele across India and money laundering schemes involving publishers and businessmen. Further actions are expected against those facilitating financial transactions.

Less than 10 days after EAGLE team in coordination with Delhi police nabbed 50 Nigerians linked to drug peddling, 32 of them have been deported. During the probe, the officials found that the foreign drug peddlers were working for one Nick, who is wanted in multiple cases registered by EAGLE.

“Nick, who is suspected to be operating from Nigeria, has about 100 associates in Delhi alone.

After analysing the gadgets of the peddlers caught, it was found that the network has over 3,000 clientele across India. The assessment was done based on the payments received by the peddlers,” senior EAGLE officials told TOI.

Soon, persons or companies which helped these gangs facilitate launder the money would be tracked and booked.

“In one instance, a publisher was involved in laundering 20 lakh to Nigeria by joining hands with peddlers. Similarly, peddlers have tied up with businessmen dealing with footwear and apparel,” the sources said. The investigation is still in the initial stages.

In another instance, the arrested accused Badruddin, who was reportedly an associate of Nick, in fact has no garments business in reality, but on paper he has a registered firm, only to launder drug money.

Police found that 15 crore deposited into his bank accounts were immediately withdrawn and the money changed hands and he was assisted by a few other businessmen.

Police are expected to take Badruddin into custody and he might be cited as an accused by EAGLE in the relevant cases registered in Telangana.

While 32 Nigerians were deported by Delhi police on priority in the last few days, among the remaining persons, criminal cases were registered against seven persons from whom drugs were recovered. The rest might also be deported.

The drug peddlers were found supplying the drug from Delhi by using courier services in the disguise of shipping products. When officials verified CCTVs at the courier kiosks in Delhi, they found the operators externally verifying to confirm the product, which the customer sought to be shipped but they did not check if the foreign nationals hid anything.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/delhi-drug-bust-32-nigerians-deported-so-far/articleshow/125820783.cms