Police in Kozhikode, Kerala, have arrested eight Nigerians for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking, widening a nationwide clampdown on narcotics networks in India.

The arrests, reported by The Hindu on Thursday, followed earlier operations that saw seven Nigerians apprehended earlier in the week. Authorities believe the latest group played significant roles in a larger syndicate coordinating drug distribution across several states.

Investigations led officers to a synthetic drug manufacturing hub in Gurugram, Haryana, with assistance from police units in Delhi and Haryana. The discovery was linked to the case of Siraj, a 31-year-old Malappuram man arrested six months ago at Kozhikode railway station with 778 grams of MDMA, allegedly supplied by a Nigerian contact in Delhi.

International drug racket busted; seven foreign nationals among 8 held - The Tribune

During a raid on what police described as a “drug kitchen” in Gurugram, eight suspects were taken into custody, including six Nigerians. Officers also seized 1.60 kg of Sulfa (a sniffing drug), 904 grams of cocaine, and 2.34 kg of raw cocaine, all worth about ₹1 crore.

Investigators said evidence retrieved from mobile phones, banking records, and messaging platforms exposed how the syndicate operated and revealed hidden links to local peddlers. Officials of the Anti-Narcotics Special Action Fo rce confirmed that call records had already tied some local dealers to the foreign suspects.

Authorities also disclosed that data from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office is being used to monitor the visa status, movements, and possible criminal associations of foreign nationals under investigation.

The arrests add to concerns about Nigerians facing criminal charges abroad. Just last week, a Ghanaian court sentenced three Nigerians — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — to a combined 96 years in prison for alleged car theft.

Eight More Nigerians Arrested in India Over Drug Trafficking

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