In a major operation, the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (HNEW), in collaboration with the Banjara Hills Police, arrested three individuals running a drug trafficking network, police said on Wednesday.

The arrested individuals include a Nigerian national, an interstate drug peddler, and a delivery boy, who were caught with a stash of various contraband drugs valued at approximately Rs 1.10 crore.

A Nigerian drug supplier, identified as Ofozor Sunday Ejike (alias Frank) is a 42-year-old native of the African nation and is currently residing in Bangalore. The interstate drug peddler is Anas Khan, aged 31. He is originally from Bhopal and is currently residing in Hyderabad’s Rajendra Nagar. Also, the drug delivery boy has been identified as 27-year-old Saif Khan, who is also from Rajendra Nagar in Hyderabad, and is the younger brother of Anas Khan.

OPERATION DETAILS

Based on credible information, the HNEW team, along with Banjara Hills Police, launched a joint operation that led to the seizure of 256 grams of various contraband drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy pills, LSD blots, charas (canabbis), and mephedrone (meow-meow). In addition, the police confiscated a Maruti WagonR car, Rs 2,260 in cash, five mobile phones, and drug packaging materials.

The drugs and related materials were seized under the case registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

MODUS OPERANDI

The investigation revealed that Ofozor Sunday Ejike, a former football player in Nigeria, entered the drug trade after struggling to make ends meet in India. He procured drugs from fellow Nigerians in Bangalore and supplied them to peddlers in Hyderabad, including Anas Khan, who distributed the drugs locally with the help of his brother Saif Khan.

Anas Khan, who became addicted to drugs after moving to Hyderabad, expanded his operation by supplying drugs in bulk to sub-peddlers in the city, earning substantial profits.