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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Nigerian man arrested for drug trafficking in India

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Indian police arrested a 26-year-old Nigerian man, Chidera Jonathan, for allegedly trafficking MDMA.
  • Jonathan was apprehended with a commercial quantity of the drug and was also wanted for overstaying his visa.
  • His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking and visa violations involving Nigerian nationals in India.

New Delhi police have arrested a 26-year-old Nigerian national, Chidera Jonathan, on suspicion of drug trafficking. The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Central District Police apprehended Jonathan on Wednesday, seizing 23.74 grams of MDMA, which authorities classified as a commercial quantity.

Following the tip-off, a trap was reportedly laid at the Civic Centre in the Kamla Market area, where Jonathan was apprehended.

— The HawkReporting on the circumstances of Chidera Jonathan's arrest.

Jonathan is also reportedly a target of Operation VISTA, an initiative aimed at apprehending foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas in India. Police received a tip-off regarding a Nigerian national supplying drugs in the Central District, leading to a trap being set near the Civic Centre in the Kamla Market area, where Jonathan was apprehended.

The police recovered 23.74g of MDMA from his possession.

— The HawkDetailing the quantity of drugs found on the suspect.

During interrogation, Jonathan allegedly confessed to obtaining the MDMA from another Nigerian identified as Prince, who is believed to reside in Tughlakabad Extension. Investigators learned that Jonathan had entered India in October 2024 on a medical visa as an attendant but remained in the country after his visa expired. He reportedly told police that he turned to drug trafficking to cover his daily expenses.

The suspect confessed to having obtained the alleged contraband from another Nigerian national identified as Prince, who is believed to reside in Tughlakabad Extension.

— The HawkReporting on the suspect's confession regarding his source.

This arrest adds to a growing number of Nigerians facing drug-related charges in India. Recent reports indicate that four other Nigerian nationals were arrested in connection with a drug trafficking network, with narcotics valued at approximately 2.1 billion naira seized in separate operations. These actions are part of coordinated efforts by Indian law enforcement agencies targeting foreign nationals involved in drug trafficking and visa violations.

Jonathan allegedly told investigators that he became involved in drug trafficking to meet his daily expenses.

— The HawkExplaining the suspect's alleged motive for drug trafficking.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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