EAGLE seizes Rs 3 Cr in drug money, arrests main hawala operator linked to Nigerian cartels

Hyderabad: EAGLE Force has arrested Dargaram Rataji Prajapati, a key operative in a nationwide hawala network used to channel proceeds of drug trafficking for Nigerian cartels.

The operation was an investigation into an international drug money laundering racket that began with the arrest of a foreign national, Onyeisi Esomchi Kenneth, alias Maxwell, alias Emmanuel Bediako.

EAGLE strikes in Mumbai

Acting on credible intelligence, a special EAGLE Force team led by Inspector K Praveen Kumar, along with SI B Jeevan Reddy, ASI Rajashekar, and PC Santosh, tracked down and arrested Dargaram in Mumbai.

The team also seized Rs 3 crore in cash from a hawala establishment allegedly used for laundering drug proceeds. Earlier, Dargaram had managed to escape during a raid on Bharath Kumar Chaganlal & Company at Phool Gully, Kalbadevi, Mumbai.

Investigations later revealed that the firm was being used as a front to move drug funds through hawala channels on behalf of foreign drug syndicates.

Wider network spanning India

During interrogation, Dargaram disclosed that the hawala racket operated through multiple cities, with offices at Javeri Chambers, Ratnapur, Ahmedabad, managed by Devji and Dilip; and Bharath Kumar Chaganlal & Company, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, managed by Mukesh.

Agents identified as Uttam Singh alias Jaswant, Kheema Ram alias Raju alias Rajlaxmi of Goa, and Chetan Mavji of Mumbai were responsible for collecting hawala money from Nigerian nationals engaged in drug trafficking.

Funds routed to Nigeria

According to the investigation, the laundered money was transferred to Nigeria by Chetan Mavji under instructions from Sunny Pascal, an absconding Nigerian accused.

The syndicate used the proceeds to finance exports of fabrics, human hair, and other goods to Nigeria — a cover operation concealing large-scale drug transactions.

Dargaram further confirmed that his associates Chetan Singh, Ronak Prajapati (Manager), and Chetan Mavji routinely visited Bharath Kumar Chaganlal and others to collect cash and deliver it to Nigerian cargo offices located at Pydhonie and Mandvi in Mumbai.

Accused using four international passports

Investigators found that Kenneth, earlier arrested in the case, had been operating in India using five passports — four Nigerian and one Ghanaian.

Officials said this highlights a growing concern over deported foreign nationals re-entering the country using fake identities and continuing their illicit trade.

So far, 25 people have been arrested in connection with the hawala-drug network, and a total of Rs 3.084 crore in cash has been seized.

Appeal to the public

Authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant against foreign nationals involved in drug peddling and money laundering, warning that such operations not only destroy young lives but also undermine national security and the economy.

The EAGLE Force issued the following advisory:

House owners: Verify foreign tenants’ credentials and alert the police about suspicious activity.

Citizens: Report any drug-related or hawala dealings to the police.

Parents: Monitor children’s friend circles and seek help from EAGLE Force if needed.

Students and youth: Stay away from drugs; report peddlers and suspicious activity immediately.

Helplines for reporting drug offences

Toll-Free: 1908

WhatsApp: 87126 71111

Email: tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in

Officials assured that all information will be kept confidential and credible informants will be suitably rewarded.