Nigerian drug peddler arrested in Hyderabad with ₹1.25 crore worth cocaine, ecstasy pills

Photograph of the seized narcotics and the arrested Nigerian national released by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB). | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) on Sunday arrested a Nigerian national in Sainikpuri, seizing 150 grams of high-purity cocaine, branded in drug circles as ‘celebrity cocaine’, along with 1,100 ecstasy pills. The total street value of the seizure is pegged at ₹1.25 crore.

The accused, identified as Emmanuel Bediako alias Maxwell, 34, is part of a larger West African drug cartel operating across India, said the Director of the Bureau, Sandeep Shandilya.

“He entered the country using fake identities and forged passports, and had been operating primarily from Goa before moving to Hyderabad in a bid to expand the cartel’s network. Maxwell’s history in India spans three separate stints, starting in 2013. He initially came on a medical visa under false pretenses and never visited the hospital or city mentioned in his documents. Instead, he joined his cousin and alleged cartel boss, Romey, in Goa,” said the officer.

Romey, who is currently in Nigeria, controlled operations remotely and used Maxwell as one of several foot soldiers managing supply chains and local deliveries.

“During his time in India, Maxwell operated using burner phones, moved frequently to avoid detection, and laundered his earnings through a wide network of Nigerian bank accounts and Indian hawala routes. After exhausting the Goa market, the cartel directed Maxwell to scout Hyderabad, citing rising demand,” added the officer.

He arrived in Hyderabad in early 2025 and began setting up a local supply chain. Police caught up with him at a friend’s house in Sainikpuri, where he had the narcotics, two mobile phones loaded with transaction data, and photographs of previous consignments.

Police said that he was selling cocaine for ₹25,000 a gram and ecstasy pills at ₹6,000 apiece. Data retrieved from his phone included details of over 150 bank transactions across Nigerian banks, including GT Bank, Zenith Bank, and Moniepoint MFB. These were reportedly tied to Romey, his wife, Ugwu Promise Nnenna, and his brother-in-law. Maxwell is also said to have operated out of a luxury villa in Goa before relocating due to police pressure.

“This isn’t just a case of drug peddling, it’s an organised transnational racket involving multiple countries, fake documents, money laundering, and a systematic targeting of Indian youth,” said Director Shandilya. A Red Corner Notice against Romey and other absconding Nigerian nationals is likely to follow.

Authorities have also issued an advisory to property owners in areas like Paramount Colony, Brundavan Colony, Sainikpuri, Tolichowki, and Banjara Hills to report any foreign nationals staying in rented properties and to comply with mandatory C-form registration as per the Foreigners Act.

Published - June 02, 2025 07:35 pm IST