A 26-year-old Nigerian man, Chidera Jonathan, has been arrested by Indian police for allegedly trafficking drugs and overstaying his visa.
Jonathan was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Central District Police in New Delhi after authorities reportedly received information about a Nigerian national allegedly involved in supplying drugs in the area.
According to an Indian media report, the police recovered 23.74 grammes of MDMA from Jonathan during the operation. The substance was described by the authorities as a commercial quantity.
The arrest reportedly followed a tip-off received by an Assistant Sub-Inspector identified as Satveer. Police subsequently laid a trap at the Civic Centre in the Kamla Market area, where Jonathan was apprehended.
Authorities also said the suspect was wanted under Operation VISTA, an initiative targeting foreign nationals allegedly remaining in India after the expiration of their visas.
The police reportedly alleged that Jonathan told investigators he obtained the drugs from another Nigerian national identified as Prince, who is believed to reside in Tughlakabad Extension.
Jonathan reportedly entered India in October 2024 on a medical visa, where he was listed as a medical attendant. However, authorities said he remained in the country after his visa expired.
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According to the police, Jonathan allegedly told investigators that he became involved in drug trafficking to meet his daily expenses.
His arrest comes amid a series of operations by Indian security agencies targeting alleged drug trafficking networks involving foreign nationals.
The development also follows the reported arrest of four other Nigerians in India over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, with narcotics reportedly worth about N2.1bn recovered during coordinated operations.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the alleged drug network and the circumstances surrounding Jonathan’s stay in India.
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