Nigerian With Expired Visa Arrested In India With MDMA, Ecstasy Pills

The arrest was carried out on Monday night at a rented apartment in the Munnekolalu area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Marathahalli Police Station.

The Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru City Police in India has dismantled a major drug peddling operation with the arrest of a Nigerian national allegedly found in possession of MDMA and ecstasy pills valued at over ₹5.15 crore (N802.3 million) on the international market.

Police identified the suspect as Ernest Onyekachi Ugah, 45, a Nigerian citizen, who was arrested following actionable intelligence that he was actively involved in trafficking narcotic substances within the city.

The arrest was carried out on Monday night at a rented apartment in the Munnekolalu area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Marathahalli Police Station.

According to officials, operatives of the Anti-Narcotics Wing had been monitoring Ugah’s activities for some time after receiving credible information linking him to drug distribution networks operating in Bengaluru.

A raid on his residence led to the recovery of 2.5 kilograms of MDMA and 300 ecstasy pills, with an estimated international street value of Rs 5.15 crore.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, senior police officers said the operation was part of an intensified crackdown on organised drug trafficking networks, particularly those involving repeat offenders and foreign nationals.

Investigations revealed that Ugah is not a first-time offender. Police disclosed that he has two previous cases registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, at the Hennur Police Station and the Kadugodi Police Station, both in Bengaluru.

He was said to have been recently released from jail before resuming his alleged involvement in drug peddling.

Further inquiries by the police indicated that Ugah initially came to Bengaluru around five years ago, reportedly for medical treatment.

However, authorities said he overstayed his visa after its expiration and continued to reside illegally in the country while allegedly engaging in criminal activities.

“His visa has expired, yet he continued to stay in the country and was repeatedly found involved in criminal activities,” the officer said.

Police said investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the seized narcotics, identify both backward and forward linkages, and uncover other members of the drug trafficking network.

Authorities are also working to determine whether the drugs were meant solely for local distribution or were part of a larger interstate or international supply chain.

Meanwhile, police officials used the occasion to renew calls for fast-track trials in cases involving repeat offenders and foreign nationals accused of drug-related crimes.

They argued that prolonged judicial processes often allow suspects to secure bail and return to criminal activities.

If fast-track trials are conducted, such accused can be deported to their home country at the earliest. In the absence of fast-track proceedings, they keep getting bail and continue with the same offences,” the officer said, adding that bail conditions need to be made more stringent for accused involved in drug cases, especially repeated offenders

“If fast-track trials are conducted, such accused can be deported to their home country at the earliest,” an officer said. “In the absence of fast-track proceedings, they keep getting bail and continue with the same offences.”

The police further stressed the need for more stringent bail conditions for individuals charged under drug laws, particularly those with prior convictions, noting that lenient bail terms undermine ongoing efforts to combat the drug menace.