Two Nigerian nationals, Ugwu Ikechukwu (also known as Emma) and Chukwu Ogbonna (alias Big Joe), were arrested in Hyderabad, India, as part of a major international drug trafficking and money laundering operation.
The arrests took place during a sting operation by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau and Cyberabad Police in the Upparpally area on Saturday.
The authorities seized 15 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of MDMA, and ₹45,000 in cash from the suspects.
In addition, Mohd Mateen Siddiqui, a local money transfer agent, was also apprehended for allegedly facilitating the transfer of funds from the illicit drug trade across borders.
Police have named several other individuals who are still on the run, including Ezeonyili Franklin Uchenna, Syed Sohail Abdul Aziz, Syed Naseer Ahmed, Mohd Awaiz, Syed Yousuf Haq, Anand Jain, Shantilal Suresh Kumar Jain, and Uttam Jain.
Investigations revealed that the drug syndicate was led by Nigerian national Ebuka Suzee, who initially entered India on a tourist visa. Suzee established a drug distribution network in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, partnering with his brother Franklin Uchenna and other associates, before expanding his operations to the United States.
The gang’s operations involved a deceptive scheme targeting American women, tricking them into believing they were in romantic relationships.
The women were coerced into sharing their banking details, which were later used to process payments for the drugs.
These proceeds were laundered through a web of local and international bank accounts before being sent to Nigeria.
“Ebuka Suzee arrived in India on a tourist visa and quickly built a network to distribute drugs in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Over time, he expanded his operations into the United States, with the assistance of his brother Franklin Uchenna and other accomplices,” explained Sandeep Shandilya, Director of the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau.
Once the money was laundered, it was routed to Nigerian business people in Mumbai, who channeled the funds back to Nigeria under the guise of legitimate garment trade transactions.
“This syndicate was highly organized, with each member, from drug peddlers to forex agents, well aware of their role in facilitating the illegal operations,” Shandilya added.
The arrests followed a months-long undercover operation, where law enforcement officers posed as buyers to trace and dismantle the syndicate.
 and Chukwu Ogbonna (alias Big Joe), were arrested in Hyderabad.){kind=link}