Hyderabad: The intricate international drug trafficking network uncovered by the Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) spans three continents, with Hyderabad emerging as a key distribution and consumption hub. The recent arrest of two Nigerian nationals and a city-based forex agent exposed a sophisticated operation supplying cocaine and MDMA to customers in India and the United States.
The kingpin, Divine Ebuka Suzee, orchestrated a complex supply chain that compartmentalized roles to evade detection during his stay in India on a tourist visa. “The operation was meticulously planned, with different players handling specific tasks to minimize risk,” said a senior police official involved in the investigation.
The drugs, primarily cocaine and MDMA, were smuggled into India through various means — concealed in containers, courier packages, and even human carriers who ingested sealed packages and later excreted the contraband upon arrival.
Officials discovered that New Delhi serves as the primary entry point for the drugs, commonly manufactured in Latin American countries such as Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. After crossing oceans via European countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, Suzee’s associates received the drugs in New Delhi, which were then transported to Hyderabad and Bengaluru through a network of carriers, often using women as mules to avoid suspicion.
His brother, Ezeonyili Franklin Uchenna, alias Kaleshi, took charge of local distribution. The method was equally sophisticated. Instead of direct hand-offs, the accused employed a “dead drop” technique. “They would leave the drugs at predetermined locations, photograph the spot and share the location with customers only after receiving payment,” explained officials.
The operation’s scale is estimated to be far greater than what meets the eye. While the bureau seized 15 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of MDMA in the recent raid, sources suggest this is just the tip of the iceberg. The network has been active since at least 2019, with Suzee facing multiple cases in Musheerabad, Ameerpet, Golconda, and Narsingi.
Technology played a crucial role in evading law enforcement. “Communication between consumers, peddlers, and the gang was strictly through encrypted platforms with disappearing messages, making surveillance difficult,” said Sandeep Shandilya, director of TGANB.
The bureau’s investigation suggests that despite previous arrests of 260 foreign national drug peddlers since 2010, the trade has continued to flourish. “When one dealer is arrested, another takes their place. We needed to target the entire network to make a real impact,” director Shandilya added.
The investigation continues as authorities attempt to apprehend the remaining members of the cartel, including Suzee, who is believed to be in Nigeria. International cooperation through various central agencies has been requested to track down the absconding accused.
