Indian authorities have arrested a Nigerian national, Ezeonyili Franklin Uchenna, also known as Kaleshi, after over a year of evading police in connection with drug trafficking.
According to a report by the Times of India, Uchenna was apprehended by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau at Ibrahimbagh following a tip-off about his return from Bengaluru.
Officers recovered 17 grams of MDMA from his pocket, despite his initial denial of possessing any illegal substances.
Investigators also seized a pen drive from the suspect containing key evidence, including photographs, names of 411 African nationals, and transaction records indicating drug deals amounting to Rs 9.50 crore.
Police revealed that Uchenna was allegedly recruited in 2022 by another Nigerian, Divine Ebuka Suzee, and his girlfriend, Uche Happiness, to work in a drug distribution network.
He reportedly received supplies from other dealers, including Joana Gomes (also known as Blessing), who has since been arrested.
After Gomes’ arrest, Uchenna fled to Bengaluru, where he continued drug operations while keeping digital records shared with Ebuka.
His eventual arrest was reportedly made possible by information obtained from previously arrested individuals, Ugwu Ikechukwu and Chukwu Ogbonna.
Authorities confirmed that Uchenna faces four criminal cases, including one in Bengaluru.
This development follows a previous PUNCH Metro report from December 9, 2024, where three Nigerians were arrested in Delhi for allegedly defrauding an Indian woman of over Rs 2.62 lakh.