The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India has revealed that 106 Nigerian nationals were arrested for drug trafficking, making them the second-highest group of foreign nationals involved in such crimes in the country.
The disclosure comes from the NCB’s 2024 annual report, released during the 2nd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads in New Delhi. According to the report, a total of 660 foreign nationals were arrested across India on drug trafficking charges.
Nepalese citizens topped the list with 203 arrests, followed by Nigerians (106), Myanmarese (25), Bangladeshis (18), Ivorians (14), Ghanaians (13), and Icelanders (10).
The report also highlighted the growing use of drones in drug smuggling, particularly in Punjab, where authorities recorded 163 drone-related cases, seizing 187.149 kg of heroin, 5.39 kg of methamphetamine, and 4.22 kg of opium.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating drug networks, stressing the need to bring international fugitives running drug operations to justice. He also called for closer collaboration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to facilitate extraditions.
The NCB urged countries to cooperate in the fight against transnational drug trafficking and emphasized the importance of continued vigilance in curbing the menace.