A Nigerian woman has been arrested in Hyderabad, India, in connection with an alleged inter-state cocaine trafficking operation, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle drug networks in major cities.
The suspect was taken into custody on Friday by officials of the Excise Department’s District Task Force after being found with cocaine reportedly meant for distribution within Hyderabad. The arrest followed targeted intelligence about a suspected drug courier arriving from Mumbai.
Security operatives tracked her movements and intercepted her near the busy Paradise area shortly after she entered the city. At the time of the arrest, she was said to be waiting inside an autorickshaw to hand over the illicit substance to an unidentified contact.
A search of her belongings led to the discovery of five separate packets containing a total of 7.5 grams of cocaine. Authorities confirmed the substance after preliminary testing and immediately placed her under arrest.
Officials say initial investigations suggest the drugs were sourced from Mumbai, where they were allegedly purchased for around ₹15,000 (approximately ₦260,000). The suspect was believed to be planning to sell the narcotics at a significantly higher price within Hyderabad’s underground market.
Law enforcement agencies are now widening their investigation to uncover the full network behind the operation, including suppliers in Mumbai and intended buyers in Hyderabad.
She has been charged under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a strict legal framework that carries severe penalties for drug-related offences.
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown by Indian authorities targeting organised drug trafficking, particularly involving foreign nationals operating across key urban centres.
