Barely a week after a Nigerian hairstylist, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, was caught in India with drugs worth over N1.8bn, another Nigerian national, identified as Chikuwuma, has been arrested for a similar offence.

According to a report by India Today on Tuesday, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch during a raid, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 1.2 crore (N214m).

“The accused, identified as Chikuwuma, was caught by the police during an attempt to distribute narcotics within the Avalahalli area of northern Bengaluru,” the report stated.

The report disclosed that the arrest was part of a broader operation by the CCB’s Narcotics Wing, which resulted in the seizure of MDMA and crystal substances.

The report added that the Narcotics Wing of the CCB conducted a quick, coordinated operation, seizing MDMA and crystal substances valued at over Rs 1.2 crore.

“He was caught red-handed while trying to sell narcotics and is believed to be part of a wider international trafficking network. Efforts are ongoing to trace others involved.”

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that Chikuwuma had been involved in drug trafficking since 2013.

He allegedly imported narcotics from overseas and distributed them across Bengaluru, with a particular focus on the city’s outskirts.

His operations were reportedly linked to a broader international drug syndicate, and he had been under surveillance for several weeks leading up to his arrest.

The report noted that the officials were intensifying efforts to dismantle the network and identify other individuals connected to the case.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Chikuwuma would remain in custody, pending further interrogations to aid the police investigation.

The suspect now joins a growing list of Nigerian nationals currently facing prosecution in India for drug-related offences. (PUNCH)