India Deports 32 Nigerians After Major Anti-Drug Operation

It started like a ripple, then suddenly the whole story widened. Indian authorities have carried out one of their biggest coordinated crackdowns in recent years, and it has now led to the deportation of 32 Nigerian nationals allegedly linked to a global drug network. The scale of the sweep surprised even longtime observers, and the details that followed painted an even more intricate picture.

According to officials, the multi-state operation targeted a foreign-backed drug and hawala network that had quietly spread across several of India’s major cities. Investigators believe the syndicate was coordinated by a Nigerian figure known only as Nick, who has been wanted in multiple drug-related cases. His name has surfaced repeatedly during interrogations and forensic reviews of seized devices.

Senior officers with India’s Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement said every Nigerian arrested in Delhi worked directly under the alleged kingpin. Less than ten days after the joint operation by the EAGLE team and Delhi Police led to over fifty arrests, authorities confirmed that thirty-two suspects had already been deported.

What investigators uncovered suggested a wide, well-resourced operation:

• Agents spread across several Indian cities
• Encrypted communication channels mapping out distribution routes
• Laptops and phones pointing to a customer base of over 3,000 people
• Payment trails linked to companies posing as legitimate businesses

Officials also found that some funds were routed through businesses that appeared genuine but allegedly functioned as fronts for laundering proceeds from the narcotics trade. One publishing company reportedly transferred ₹20 lakh to Nigeria. Several local shoe and clothing shop owners were also said to have collaborated with peddlers to obscure transactions.

Seven of the arrested individuals remain in custody after drugs were allegedly found on them. Police say they could face formal charges depending on ongoing investigations. The remaining detainees may be deported once legal and documentation procedures are completed.

This entire episode highlights how modern criminal networks operate quietly across borders, using layers of intermediaries, digital platforms, and seemingly small local businesses to mask their reach. It also shows how coordinated law enforcement efforts can disrupt even deeply embedded systems.