New Delhi, August 9: The Delhi Crime Branch has successfully dismantled an international drug syndicate operating in the Delhi-NCR region. In a significant operation, authorities seized a large quantity of heroin and MDMA, leading to the arrest of five drug traffickers, including two Nigerians, one Ghanaian, and two Indians.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Morris Okali (52, Nigerian), Ibegbu Chigozie Samuel (approximately 50, Lagos, Nigeria), Emmanuel (approximately 38, Accra, Ghana), Sameer alias Nanha (28, resident of Nand Nagri, Delhi), and a woman (36, resident of Shalimar Garden, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh).
The Delhi Crime Branch issued a press release stating that the Eastern Range-I unit uncovered a network involved in the procurement, possession, and distribution of high-quality heroin and MDMA in the Delhi-NCR area. Investigations revealed that the accused were actively engaged in both wholesale and retail drug supply, operating through a network of accomplices.
This operation was led by Inspector Lichhman and included SI Bijender Singh, SI Arvind Kumar, SI Shailendra Tiwari, ASI Joginder, ASI Bipti, Head Constable Surya Prakash, and Head Constable Maha Singh. Under the supervision of ACP Sunil Srivastava and DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, the Crime Branch has been gathering intelligence on active drug traffickers as part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ (Drug-Free India Campaign).
Upon receiving specific information, the team initiated a surveillance operation across various locations in Delhi. They identified Morris Okali, a 52-year-old Nigerian national residing in the Chandar Vihar area of Nilothi, as a key player in the wholesale and retail trafficking of heroin and MDMA. He was expected to deliver a shipment near a hospital in Shahdara on the night of July 19/20.
After completing all legal formalities, a raid team was formed and strategically positioned near the hospital. Following covert surveillance, the team apprehended the suspect, who identified himself as Morris Okali. A search of his bag revealed four polyethylene packets containing suspicious substances, totaling 2.004 kilograms of heroin and 863 grams of MDMA, both of which fall under commercial quantity.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered at the Delhi Crime Branch police station under sections 21/22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. During the investigation, two additional suspects were arrested based on information provided by Okali. These included Emmanuel from Accra, Ghana, and Ibegbu Chigozie Samuel from Lagos, Nigeria. A search of Samuel yielded 254 grams of high-quality heroin, while Emmanuel was found with 14 grams of MDMA.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two more co-accused: Sameer alias Nanha and the woman from Shalimar Garden, Ghaziabad. Sameer was apprehended in Ghaziabad, with 300 grams of high-quality heroin in his possession. The woman was arrested in West Vihar, Delhi.
Current investigations indicate that Sameer and the woman were active members of an organized gang involved in drug trafficking in the Delhi-NCR region, participating in the procurement, storage, transport, and distribution of heroin and MDMA. Notably, Sameer has a history of involvement in several criminal cases, while the woman has also been previously implicated in criminal activities.
The investigation has revealed a well-organized interstate drug network comprising both Indian and foreign nationals, collaborating to procure and illegally distribute heroin and MDMA in the Delhi-NCR area. The series of arrests and substantial seizures have confirmed the suspects’ active involvement in organized drug trafficking.
During the raids, police seized 2.554 kilograms of heroin, 881 grams of MDMA, and 11 mobile phones from the arrested individuals. The estimated international market value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹12 crores. The Crime Branch is continuing efforts to identify other members of the gang, uncover their roles, and expose the entire supply network.
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