A 30-year-old Nigerian, Nsude Chimaobi, has been arrested alongside eight other drug traffickers in Mumbai, India, after authorities seized 523 grams of cocaine valued at N5.23 crore in Santacruz.

According to The Free Press Journal, the Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell, under Deputy Commissioner Navnath Dhawale, conducted six coordinated raids across Kurla CST, Mazgaon, Govandi, Borivali, and Vakola on Saturday, October 11.

The operation recovered not only the cocaine from Chimaobi but also 211 grams of mephedrone and 24,900 nitrazepam tablets from other suspects. Chimaobi was reportedly detained under sections 8(c) and 21(c) of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Officials said the seizure involving the Nigerian national was the largest catch of the operation, highlighting the high stakes of transnational drug networks.

This incident adds to a string of cases involving Nigerians in India. PUNCH Metro reported in 2024 that 106 Nigerians were arrested on drug trafficking charges, emphasizing the need for stronger cross-border cooperation to curb international drug smuggling.