Two Nigerians and a local forex agent have been arrested in Hyderabad, India, as police uncovered a transnational drug trafficking and money laundering syndicate with links to the United States and Nigeria, The Hindu Newspapers reports.
The suspects, identified as Ugwu Ikechukwu (alias Emma) and Chukwu Ogbonna (alias Big Joe), were arrested by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau and Cyberabad Police during a sting operation in the Upparpally area on Saturday, April 5.
Authorities seized 15 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of MDMA, and ₹45,000 in cash during the operation.
Mohd Mateen Siddiqui, a Hyderabad-based money transfer agent was also arrested for allegedly helping route proceeds from the illegal drug trade across borders.
Several people who are now evading capture have also been named by the police.
Among them are Ezeonyili Franklin Uchenna, Syed Sohail Abdul Aziz, Syed Naseer Ahmed, Mohd Awaiz, Mohd Mateen, Syed Yousuf Haq, Anand Jain, Shantilal Suresh Kumar Jain, and Uttam Jain.
According to the police, the syndicate was led by a Nigerian national, Ebuka Suzee, who initially entered India on a tourist visa.
Suzee allegedly set up a drug supply chain in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, working with his brother Franklin Uchenna and other associates to expand operations into the United States.
Investigators said the gang used fake relationships to scam single American women into giving up their banking details, which were then used to receive payments for drugs.
The funds were laundered through a network of local and international bank accounts before being routed to Nigeria.
“Ebuka Suzee initially arrived in India on a tourist visa and built a network to supply drugs in Hyderabad and Bengaluru with the assistance of his brother Franklin Uchenna. During this time, he developed connections with other accused individuals and extended his drug operations to the United States,” said TGANB Director Sandeep Shandilya.
The laundered money was eventually delivered to Nigerian businessmen in Mumbai, who funneled it back home under the cover of legitimate garment trade.
He said Emma passed the funds to Big Joe, who transported them to Mumbai and delivered them to Nwabueze Kenechukwu Victor.
From there, the money was funnelled to Nigerian businessmen engaged in the garment trade, who laundered the proceeds.
“This network ran through a well-coordinated chain. Each individual, from the peddlers to forex agents, was aware of facilitating illegal transactions,” said Shandilya.
Police said the bust was the result of a long-running undercover operation during which officers posed as buyers to trace the entire network before making arrests.
