Nigerian arrested in Sainikpuri with Rs 1.25 crore narcotics; celebrity cocaine, ecstasy seized

Hyderabad: A Nigerian national was arrested in the city with a large quantity of high-grade narcotics worth Rs 1.25 crore.

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) seized 150 grams of ‘celebrity cocaine’ and 1,100 ecstasy pills in the operation aimed at dismantling international drug cartels.

The arrested individual was identified as Emmanuel Bediako alias Maxwell. He was arrested in Sainikpuri, where Emmanuel had arrived recently to expand his drug network beyond Goa, where he was previously operating.

Who is Emmanuel Bediako?

Emmanuel, 34, is a native of Nigeria’s Enugu State and has been involved in drug trafficking across multiple countries. He entered India using fake identities and forged documents on at least three separate occasions, each time on medical visas under different names and national passports from Nigeria and Ghana.

According to police, his entry and operations were orchestrated by Onyeisi Romanus Ikechukwu, also known as Romey, a drug kingpin based in Nigeria. Romey coordinated Emmanuel’s travel, forged documents, funding and the sale of narcotics in India.

Three visits to India, crores in drug profits

First visit (2013–2022): Using a Nigerian passport and a fake name, Emmanuel arrived in Bangalore and operated mainly in Goa, selling drugs under the alias Maxwell. He earned Rs 40 lakh in commission over the years.

Second visit (2023–2024): Again entering under a new name, Emmanuel continued drug sales in Goa and earned another Rs 20 lakh.

Third visit (2025): This time he entered India using a Ghanaian passport under the name Bediako Emmanuel, funded by a deposit of 2 million Nigerian Nairas. He returned to Goa before shifting operations to Hyderabad on the instructions of Romey.

In total, Emmanuel is believed to have earned Rs 1.17 crore in commissions from selling drugs worth several crores. The money was laundered through 150+ banking transactions involving both Nigerian and Indian operatives.

An extensive money laundering network

The accused specialised in distributing high-purity cocaine (celebrity cocaine) and MDMA/ecstasy. He sold cocaine for Rs 25,000 per gram and ecstasy pills for Rs 6,000 each. Once his stock was exhausted, he would contact Romey, who coordinated fresh deliveries through Indian contacts.

Romey, who mostly operates from Nigeria, used an extensive money laundering network, involving hawala operators in India and Nigerian nationals in Mumbai, to transfer drug proceeds back to Nigeria.

Emmanuel’s mobile phone contained numerous photos of drugs, along with banking details from institutions like GTBank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, UBA, and more.

Emmanuel wanted to develop network in Hyderabad

Following orders from Romey to explore new markets, Emmanuel arrived in Hyderabad and was staying at a friend’s home in Sainikpuri when he was apprehended by TGANB officers. The aim was to develop a local network of peddlers and consumers in the city.

Appeal from Telangana Police

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau has issued a strong appeal to the public, especially youth and parents, to remain vigilant about drug abuse and report any suspicious activity by dialling 1908, or on

WhatsApp: 8712671111 and Email: tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in

Residents, particularly in areas where foreign nationals stay, such as Tolichowki, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Sun City, Sainikpuri, and Lunger House, are urged to comply with foreign registration rules and inform police of any suspicious tenants.