The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau has busted a major international drug racket operating out of Hyderabad and Bangalore, with links extending to the United States and Nigeria. Director Sandeep Sandilya confirmed the arrest of three key accused, including drug suppliers Ugwa Inkechukawa and Chukuwu Ogbanna, and forex agent Mohammed Mateen Siddiqui.
The Bureau has identified a total of 13 individuals in connection with this case. The prime accused, Ebuka Suji, along with nine others, is still absconding. Officials found that cocaine and MDMA were being procured from Latin America and distributed across India and the US. Payments worth crores were funneled to Nigerian mafias through hawala networks.
During the raid, authorities seized 15 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of MDMA worth ₹12.5 lakh. Investigations revealed that in the last two to three years, over ₹5 crore has been transferred illegally to Nigeria, with ₹80 lakh sent in the most recent transaction alone.
The Bureau emphasized that money transfer agents must record complete details before transferring money to foreigners, especially Nigerians. Similarly, landlords must ensure Form C is filled out when renting homes to foreigners and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Authorities also raised alarms about the increasing involvement of college and school students in drug consumption and peddling. Special surveillance has been put in place to monitor both consumers and suppliers. Sandilya reiterated that while Hyderabad leads in technology, it will now also lead in tech-based countermeasures to stop drug trafficking effectively.
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