A Nigerian man has been arrested in Bengaluru, India, over his alleged involvement in a large-scale drug distribution operation, with authorities recovering narcotics valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
The suspect, identified as Samuel Ikkena, 44, was apprehended by police in Yelahanka, Karnataka State, as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking targeting both students and the wider public.
According to investigators, Ikkena allegedly operated the drug network under the cover of a clothing business. He is said to have sourced MDMA crystals, commonly known as ecstasy, and distributed them through a structured illegal network at significantly higher prices.
Police reports indicate that he procured the drugs for about Rs 50,000 (approximately N3.5 million) and resold them for profit.
Ikkena reportedly moved to India in 2012 on a business visa, initially trading garments in cities like Delhi and Mumbai before relocating to Bengaluru in 2025.
During the operation, authorities recovered about 2 kilograms of MDMA crystals, along with 31.396 kilograms of cannabis, 220 grams of hydroponic cannabis, and additional quantities of heroin. A motorcycle believed to have been used for transporting the drugs was also seized.
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Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh estimated the seized drugs to be worth around Rs 2.57 crore (about N180 million), with a potential street value exceeding Rs 5 crore (roughly N360 million).
The arrest was part of a broader enforcement effort that led to 11 suspects being taken into custody, including foreigners and local residents, across multiple locations in the city.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other key figures behind the network, as cases have been filed under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
