Crackdown on Nigerian drug cartel: Telangana's EAGLE raids Delhi, Vizag, other locations; sex workers among 50 held

Hyderabad: Telangana Police’s elite anti-narcotics force, EAGLE, dismantled a major Nigerian drug cartel in a massive multi-state crackdown.

Over 50 overstaying foreigners were arrested, and huge quantities of drugs were seized in simultaneous raids across Delhi, Greater Noida, Gwalior, and Visakhapatnam.

The coordinated operation is the largest-ever crackdown carried out by EAGLE outside Telangana, officials said.

20 locations raided across Delhi

EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya said that 20 locations were raided in Delhi alone, including Mehrauli, Sant Garh, Pratap Enclave, Prithvi Park, Nilothi, and Chandra Nagar in Munirka.

The operation involved a joint deployment of 124 EAGLE officers and 100 personnel of the Delhi Crime Branch.

“All those arrested are part of a well-organised Nigerian drug cartel. A massive quantity of narcotics was seized from multiple locations,” Shandilya said.

Kingpins, drug sale girls, and mule account holders nabbed

Parallel raids in Greater Noida, Gwalior, and Visakhapatnam, with the active support of local police leadership, led to the arrest of key cartel kingpins, women involved in drug sales who were also working as sex workers, and main mule bank account holders used for laundering drug money.

Officials said the arrested accused played a critical role in the supply, distribution, and financial routing of narcotics across States.

Nearly Entire EAGLE Force Deployed

Almost the entire operational strength of EAGLE was pressed into service for the mission. The deployed team included a Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police (8), Inspectors (17), Sub-Inspectors (16), and 82 Head Constables and Police Constables.

“This is the biggest operation conducted by EAGLE outside Telangana so far. The coordination extended by the Delhi Crime Branch and the police leadership in Gwalior, Visakhapatnam, and Greater Noida was exceptional,” the Director said.

Task force launched in June to curb drug menace

The EAGLE special force was launched in June this year by the Telangana government to combat the growing drug menace. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy formally inaugurated the elite task force on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The unit has been entrusted with the responsibility to identify, prevent, and eliminate drug trafficking, interstate smuggling networks, and illegal ganja cultivation.

Series of major drug busts in Hyderabad

Since its launch, EAGLE has carried out several high-impact operations in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana.

In August, the force busted a drug racket at Mahindra University, arresting four accused, including a student.

Following the case, around 50 students were placed under investigation for suspected drug consumption.

Inter-state drug network under scanner

With this multi-city crackdown, investigators believe they have dealt a major blow to inter-state drug trafficking networks operated by Nigerian syndicates, which use mule bank accounts, rented accommodations, and organised courier chains for drug supply.

Further investigation and follow-up raids are in progress.