Two Nigerians and a local foreign exchange agent were arrested in Hyderabad, India after police discovered transnational drug trafficking and ties to the United States and Nigeria, according to Indian newspapers.
During a sting operation in the Upparpally area on Saturday, April 5, the suspects were identified as UGWU IKECHUKWU (alias Emma) and Chukwu Ogbonna (Alias Big Joe) and were arrested by Telangana Anti-Drug Service and Cyberabad police.
Authorities seized 15 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of MDMA and Rs 45,000 in cash during the operation.
Hyderabad-based currency transfer agent Mohd Mateen Siddiqui was also arrested for allegedly helping with the proceeds of illegal drug transactions across borders.
Now, several people who are escaping prisoners are also named by the police.
These include Ezeonyili Franklin Uchenna, Syed Sohail Abdul Aziz, Syed Naseer Ahmed, Mohd Awaiz, Mohd Mateen, Syed Yousuf Haq, Anand Jain, Shantilal Suresh Kumar Kumar Jain and Uttam Jain.
According to police, the group was led by Nigerian national Ebuka Suzee, who initially entered India with a tourist visa.
Suzee allegedly established a pharmaceutical supply chain in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, working with his brother Franklin Uchenna and other colleagues to expand its business to the United States.
Investigators said the gang used false relationships to trick single American women into abandoning their bank details and then using them to accept drug payments.
The funds launder money through networks of local and international bank accounts before they will be sent to Nigeria.
“Ebuka Suzee initially arrived in India on a tourist visa and, with the assistance of his brother Franklin Uchenna, established a network of drugs in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. During this time, he established contacts with other defendants and expanded his drug operations to the United States,” he said.
The money laundered was eventually handed over to Nigerian merchants in Mumbai, who remitted it home under the cover of a legal clothing trade.
He said Emma handed the funds to Da Joe, who shipped it to Mumbai and shipped it to Nwabueze Kenechukwu Victor.
From there, the money was transferred to Nigerian businessmen who worked in the apparel industry, who washed the proceeds.
“This network runs through a well-coordinated chain. Everyone from hawkers to forex agents is aware of promoting illegal transactions,” Shandilya said.
Police said the bust was the result of a long-running covert operation, during which police acted as buyers, tracking the entire network before arresting.
