Jacob Nnabuike Ugwu arrested for drug trafficking in India

May 07, 2025

By Adedoja Adesoji

A 37-year-old Nigerian man, Jacob Nnabuike Ugwu, has been apprehended by the India Crime Branch for his alleged involvement in inter-state trafficking of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) across India.

According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya, Ugwu entered India a year ago under the guise of working as a hotel cook but had been operating out of the Krishnapuri area in Delhi, running a refreshment shop as a front for his alleged illicit activities.

“The accused is a native of Nigeria, originally from Enugu City. He confessed to residing in Delhi for the past 2-3 years, running a refreshment shop, and supplying MD drugs through other members of his gang for the past year,” Dandotiya said.

Ugwu’s arrest followed the interrogation of two Indian nationals, Hariom Jha and Lakshya Singh Rajput, who were apprehended near the MR10 Bridge in Indore. Police seized 36 grams of MDMA, a Tata Altroz car, and multiple mobile phones from the duo.

“The arrest of the Nigerian person, Jacob Nnabuike Ugwu (37), follows the earlier seizure of approximately 36 grams of MD drugs, a Tata Altroz car, and mobile phones from two other accused, identified as Hariom Jha (26) and Lakshya Singh Rajput (26),” the statement said.

Dandotiya added that Ugwu is believed to be the central figure in a broader drug distribution network stretching across several Indian states.

“During police remand, the accused revealed that they procured the MD drugs for trafficking from a Nigerian supplier in Delhi named Jacob,” he said.

The trio has been booked under Crime Number 81/25, invoking Sections 8 and 22 of the NDPS Act, with Ugwu now under police remand for further investigation into his network and accomplices.

Dandotiya added that additional arrests are likely as the investigation expands into the larger network of suppliers and peddlers linked to the accused.