NCB busts drug trafficking network involving illegally overstaying foreign nationals

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with the State police authorities, has disrupted a drug trafficking network involving foreign nationals illegally overstaying in India. Four Nigerian nationals have been arrested and drugs worth approximately ₹15 crore have been seized, it said on Tuesday (August 18, 2026).

Acting on input from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), a joint search was conducted in Delhi’s Khanpur on July 18. The operation resulted in the seizure of over 5 kg of amphetamine and the arrest of a Nigerian national, Obase Prosper Ogboronjor. The accused was also wanted by the STF in a major cyber-fraud case involving approximately ₹68 lakh.

The NCB stated that the accused had been overstaying in India despite the expiration of his medical visa in June 2023. A follow-up action led to the seizure of 9.7 kg of amphetamine and 67.84 kg of pseudoephedrine from Hans Enclave in Gurugram, as well as the arrest of another Nigerian national, Abuchi George Okorie, on July 21. Pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance, is used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.

Abuchi George Okorie came to India on a medical attendant visa that was valid until June 2015, after which he allegedly began staying illegally. Based on the findings, the agency zeroed in on a premises in Mehrauli, Delhi, from which 318 grams of cocaine and 6 grams of heroin were seized on August 3. Two Nigerian nationals, Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie Joshua Igwe, who had allegedly been living illegally for over 13 years, were arrested.

“During this operation, one African woman, whose identity is being established, attempted to escape by jumping from the balcony, injuring herself. She is currently receiving treatment,” it said, adding that the arrests have highlighted the need for greater vigilance.

“Hotels, guest houses, landlords and other accommodation providers are required to comply with the legal provisions governing the accommodation of foreign nationals, including timely furnishing of prescribed information regarding their stay to the concerned authorities, as per the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025,” said the NCB.

To address the issue in a coordinated manner, the NCB, in association with the State police and immigration authorities, will launch a fortnight-long nationwide campaign, “Trinetra”, in the first week of September 2026 to identify such illegally overstaying foreign nationals suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.