Authorities in India have arrested a Nigerian national, Emmanuel Bediako, also known as Maxwell, on charges of drug trafficking and links to an international narcotics syndicate.
The 34-year-old was apprehended on Sunday by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau in the Sainikpuri area of Hyderabad. Police said they recovered 150 grams of high-purity cocaine and 1,100 ecstasy pills during the operation.
The drugs are estimated to be worth millions of rupees on the underground market.
According to the Bureau’s Director, Sandeep Shandilya, Maxwell is believed to be a key figure in a West African drug cartel operating across several Indian states.
He allegedly entered India multiple times since 2013 using fake documents, first arriving on a medical visa under false pretences.
Shandilya said Maxwell operated from Goa for several years before shifting to Hyderabad to expand the cartel’s reach.
He reportedly used burner phones, frequently changed locations to evade detection, and laundered proceeds through Nigerian bank accounts and Indian hawala networks.
Police say the suspect admitted to earning over Rs 1.17 crore (approximately $145,600) in commissions over the past decade.
Data from Maxwell’s seized devices allegedly reveal over 150 bank transactions linked to Nigerian financial institutions and individuals including his cousin, Romey, believed to be the cartel’s mastermind operating from Nigeria.
Authorities noted that this case highlights a broader transnational operation involving document fraud, money laundering, and the systematic targeting of Indian youth.
A Red Corner Notice may be issued for Romey and other suspects still at large.
In response, Indian officials have urged landlords in key neighbourhoods to report any foreign tenants, particularly in areas like Tolichowki, Sainikpuri, and Banjara Hills.
Maxwell’s arrest comes shortly after four other Nigerians were detained in separate drug-related cases across India.