The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau has arrested three Nigerian nationals, along with several accomplices, for their involvement in a major drug trafficking and money laundering operation. Authorities seized cocaine and MDMA worth Rs 12.5 lakh during the bust.
The arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated financial network used by drug cartels to launder money from illegal drug sales. Investigators traced financial transactions linked to known drug peddlers, uncovering several shell companies operating in Mumbai and Delhi. These companies were allegedly used to funnel drug money into foreign accounts, creating a complex international money laundering operation.
One of the key figures arrested is Igwe Obataobie, also known as Igwe Elvis, a Nigerian national residing in Bengaluru. Elvis was found to have played a significant role in transferring drug earnings to various Nigerian bank accounts, ensuring that illicit funds reached suppliers abroad. The investigation also revealed the involvement of Palestinian nationals in moving these illicit funds across borders.
The authorities also uncovered a larger operation that involved numerous foreign nationals, illegally diverting money to international accounts. These activities were traced back to Mohammed Osman, alias Faisal, a prominent drug peddler currently held in Goa’s Colvale Jail. Faisal’s interstate network led investigators to several shell companies, including Mr X, King Enterprise, and Riya, which were registered as legitimate businesses but were used as fronts for laundering drug proceeds.
Awni Hassan Abu Alkas, a Palestinian national based in Delhi, was another significant figure in the syndicate. He allegedly headed a vast drug trafficking network involving both Nigerian nationals and Indian collaborators. This network was responsible for the supply of drugs in cities like Bengaluru, Goa, and Hyderabad.
The investigation revealed the modus operandi of the drug cartels, which typically involved transferring funds through mule accounts and shell companies before routing the money overseas. This process made it difficult for authorities to trace the final destination of the illicit funds, complicating efforts to dismantle the drug trade.
The bust underscores the challenges authorities face in tackling drug trafficking and money laundering, as the suspects refuse to provide further details about their network. However, investigators believe the syndicate may be even larger than initially thought.
