In a major crackdown on organised narcotics trafficking, Delhi Police has busted an alleged interstate drug syndicate operating across the Delhi-NCR region and arrested five people, including three foreign nationals. Police said heroin and MDMA with an estimated international market value of nearly ₹12 crore were seized during the operation.
According to the Crime Branch, the action exposed an organised network allegedly involved in procuring, storing, transporting and distributing narcotics through multiple locations in Delhi and neighbouring areas.
Five accused arrested in coordinated operation
Police identified the arrested accused as Nigerian nationals Moris Okalie, 52, and Ibegbu Chigozie Samuel, 50, Ghanaian national Emmanuel, 38, and Delhi-NCR residents Sameer, 28, and a woman identified as Lady, 36.
Investigators said the network allegedly had different people handling different stages of the drug supply chain, from procurement and storage to transportation and last-mile distribution.
The Crime Branch had reportedly been developing intelligence about narcotics traffickers when it received information that Okalie would arrive near a hospital in Shahdara to deliver a drug consignment.
A police team laid a trap during the intervening night of July 19 and 20 and intercepted him. Officers said a search of his black shoulder bag resulted in the recovery of 2.004 kg of heroin and 863 grams of MDMA.
A case was subsequently registered at the Crime Branch police station, following which investigators began tracing the alleged network and its associates.
Investigation leads police to more members
During the investigation and subsequent police custody remand of Okalie, officers allegedly obtained information about other members of the syndicate.
Police arrested Emmanuel and Samuel from Chander Vihar, Nilothi, on July 23. According to investigators, 254 grams of heroin were recovered from Samuel, while 14 grams of MDMA were allegedly seized from Emmanuel.
The investigation continued, leading to the arrest of two more alleged associates on July 31.
Sameer was arrested from Shalimar Garden in Ghaziabad, where police allegedly recovered another 300 grams of heroin. Lady was arrested from Paschim Vihar and was allegedly linked to the procurement, transportation and supply of narcotics.
Police said the total seizure from the operation stood at 2.554 kg of heroin, 881 grams of MDMA and 11 mobile phones. The combined drugs were estimated to be worth approximately ₹12 crore in the international market.
Alleged network spread across Delhi-NCR
Investigators believe the alleged syndicate had established connections across several parts of Delhi-NCR.
Police said Okalie had been living in Chander Vihar, Nilothi Extension, after arriving in India in 2020. His visa had expired, and officers said he was overstaying in the country. Police also stated that he had previously been arrested in a 2024 case registered under the Foreigners Act at Nihal Vihar police station.
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Samuel, who police said had been living in India for nearly 14 years, allegedly developed links with members of a narcotics network operating from Chander Vihar. Investigators suspect that he was involved in procuring, storing and supplying drugs to local associates and peddlers.
Emmanuel was also allegedly connected with the network operating around Chander Vihar and Vikaspuri and is suspected of facilitating the movement and distribution of narcotics.
Last-mile distribution under scanner
According to police, Sameer allegedly functioned as a last-mile distributor, supplying heroin and MDMA to local peddlers and consumers on behalf of other members of the network.
Investigators said Sameer has two previous criminal cases registered against him, including one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Lady, who resides in Shalimar Garden in Ghaziabad, allegedly played a role in procuring, transporting and supplying the drugs. Police said she had also been booked earlier in a 2023 case under the NDPS Act.
The arrests and seizures have given investigators important leads into the alleged supply chain, particularly the movement of narcotics between different parts of Delhi and neighbouring Ghaziabad.
Police search for remaining links
The Crime Branch has now intensified its investigation to identify other individuals allegedly associated with the syndicate. Officers are examining the seized mobile phones and other evidence to trace communication and financial links connected to the network.
Police are also trying to determine the wider supply chain, including the source of the narcotics and the intended recipients of the seized consignments.
The operation highlights the continuing challenge posed by organised drug trafficking in the Delhi-NCR region, where criminal networks can rely on multiple layers of suppliers, distributors and local peddlers.
Delhi Police said the investigation remains underway and further arrests cannot be ruled out as officers work to identify and dismantle the remaining links of the alleged interstate narcotics network.
The five arrested individuals are facing investigation in connection with the alleged drug trafficking activities, while the police probe continues to establish the complete structure and reach of the syndicate.
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