Greater than 100 Nigerians had been amongst overseas nationals arrested for drug trafficking in India final 12 months, in keeping with figures launched by the nation’s narcotics management company, elevating questions on worldwide drug networks and Nigeria’s international popularity.
The Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB) mentioned 106 Nigerians had been detained in 2024 for drug-related offences. The very best variety of overseas suspects got here from Nepal, with 203 arrests, whereas Myanmar accounted for 25. Smaller numbers had been recorded from Bangladesh, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.
India’s Union Residence Minister Amit Shah offered the figures throughout a nationwide anti-narcotics convention in New Delhi. He mentioned the federal government would step up motion towards cross-border drug syndicates, together with pursuing extradition of suspects residing overseas.
“The combat is not about catching small drug peddlers. We at the moment are concentrating on cartels at entry factors, in distribution, and at retail stage,” Shah mentioned, urging states to make use of instruments reminiscent of cryptocurrency monitoring, darknet monitoring, and information evaluation.
The NCB report additionally highlighted new smuggling strategies. Punjab recorded 163 instances of medicine being flown in by drones, whereas giant seizures of heroin and methamphetamine had been made in Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. Officers say India’s geography – bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar – locations it between two of the world’s greatest drug-producing areas.
Safety specialists in Nigeria say the arrests spotlight how traffickers exploit weak teams. “Felony syndicates typically goal unemployed youths as couriers, luring them with guarantees of fast cash,” mentioned Lagos-based analyst Musa Olatunji. “The numbers present it is a regional situation, not nearly Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s overseas ministry has not commented on the newest figures. Officers previously have confused that many Nigerians jailed overseas are victims of bigger felony organisations.
