Two Nigerian drug suppliers arrested in Hyderabad; MDMA worth Rs 20 lakh seized

Hyderabad: Two Nigerian nationals were arrested, and 150 grams of MDMA valued at about Rs 20 lakh were seized from them.

The operation was part of a major crackdown on interstate drug trafficking by the Hyderabad City Police, through its Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) in coordination with Tolichowki Police Station.

Accused identified

Acting on specific information, H-NEW teams, along with Tolichowki police, conducted a joint operation on Thursday, within the Tolichowki police station limits.

The accused have been identified as:

- Chidi Ezeh alias Nageshwaran (42), a Nigerian national residing in New Delhi.

- Obasi James Victor (38), a Nigerian national staying in New Delhi.

During the operation, the police apprehended Chidi Ezeh and Obasi James Victor and recovered MDMA along with multiple identity and banking documents.

Both were found to be overstaying in India after the expiry of their visas and passports.

Repeat offender with fake Indian identity

Police investigations revealed that Chidi Ezeh entered India in March 2014 on a medical attendant visa, which expired in May 2014. After overstaying illegally, he was earlier arrested in Hyderabad in an NDPS case involving cocaine and MDMA.

Following his release from jail, Chidi reportedly moved to New Delhi, where he fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar, PAN card and a driving licence under a fake name.

He is suspected to have procured MDMA and cocaine from an absconding Nigerian supplier based in Delhi and supplied drugs to peddlers in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and New Delhi.

Previous criminal cases against Chidi

Police cited multiple earlier cases registered against Chidi, including:

- NDPS case in Golconda (2019) involving cocaine and MDMA.

- Amberpet police case (2024) as an absconding supplier.

- A case registered in the North Goa district.

Modus Operandi

According to police, Chidi functioned as an interstate drug supplier, coordinating with local peddlers through WhatsApp. Drugs were either delivered personally by him or through Obasi James Victor after receiving payments.

The contraband was sourced at low prices and sold at higher rates, enabling the accused to lead a lavish lifestyle.

Role of Obasi James Victor

Obasi entered India in 2011 on a tourist visa through Mumbai.

Initially engaged in cloth exports to Nigeria, he later ran a restaurant in Delhi. Police said he was residing in the same building as Chidi and assisted him in drug deliveries, though no previous cases were pending against him.

Deportation process initiated

Since Obasi James Victor has no prior criminal cases, H-NEW has initiated deportation proceedings with the assistance of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office and the Nigerian Embassy. Authorities are also seeking an Emergency Travel Certificate and have proposed blacklisting him to prevent re-entry into India.

A case (Cr. No. 21/2026) has been registered under Sections 8(c), read with 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Appeal to the public

The Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing appealed to citizens to stay away from substance abuse and urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

The police also warned about foreign nationals overstaying on expired visas and engaging in illegal drug trafficking.

Citizens with information related to drug abuse or peddling can contact H-NEW at 8712661601.