In a significant drug bust in Wayanad, located in the northeastern region of Kerala, two Nigerian nationals, including a 40-year-old man identified as Chicka Abajuvo, have been arrested for their involvement in drug trafficking. The arrests took place in the wake of a series of operations targeting a drug racket operating across various parts of India.
According to reports from India-based news outlets, the two suspects, Abajuvo and his accomplice, Sandeep Malik, were apprehended in a midnight operation carried out by the Sulthan Bathery police and the anti-narcotics wing of the Wayanad police. The operation was part of a broader investigation into drug trafficking in the region, particularly the smuggling of MDMA from Bengaluru to Kerala.
The arrest of Abajuvo and Malik comes just days after a similar operation led to the arrest of Tanzanian national Prince Samson, who was allegedly connected to the drug ring. Samson’s arrest occurred earlier in the week, after authorities in Bengaluru dismantled a large-scale trafficking network. According to police reports, Samson was reportedly working in partnership with Abajuvo and Malik, with the trio allegedly coordinating the smuggling of illicit drugs into Kerala.
The police operation, which led to the arrest of Abajuvo and Malik, was carried out by a team of law enforcement officers, including Sulthan Bathery Station House Officer NP Raghavan. The raid targeted a flat in Bengaluru, which was reportedly used by the suspects to facilitate the illegal drug trade.
During the operation, the police seized a variety of items, including mobile phones, laptops, and several documents that appear to link the suspects to other operators involved in the trafficking network. These items are said to contain crucial evidence about the drug distribution operations, and they have raised concerns about the scale and reach of the syndicate.
The investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly part of a larger network that had been trafficking MDMA, a popular party drug, into Kerala from Bengaluru. Kerala authorities have been increasingly concerned about the rising levels of drug abuse in the state, and the arrest of these suspects marks a significant step in tackling the drug problem.
The bust in Wayanad is part of a larger crackdown on drug trafficking that began earlier in the year. In February 2025, authorities in Sulthan Bathery had arrested four individuals connected to a major drug trafficking case. The arrests followed the seizure of 93.84 grams of MDMA from a suspect named Shefeek, a native of Cherumukku in Malappuram. Shefeek was allegedly a key link between the drug peddlers operating in Kerala and those in Bengaluru.
The busts and arrests in both February and March 2025 have shed light on a significant drug trafficking operation that spans multiple states in India. The authorities are working to connect the dots between these various arrests and are focusing on dismantling the wider drug syndicate that stretches from Bengaluru to Kerala and beyond.
Reports from local news outlets suggest that large money transactions linked to the suspects have been identified in several bank accounts, further implicating the network in illegal financial dealings. Police investigators are continuing to follow the money trail, which may lead to even more individuals involved in the drug trade.
Drug trafficking remains a significant problem in many parts of India, with both local and international networks involved in the illicit trade. Kerala, in particular, has become a hot spot for drug-related issues, with authorities noting a rise in the abuse of various substances, including MDMA, heroin, and methaqualone.
The Wayanad operation follows several similar cases in other parts of the country, including Delhi, where two Nigerian nationals were arrested in 2023 for their involvement in a large drug cartel. That bust, reported by PUNCH Metro, saw the arrest of Nigerian nationals Peace Ilobe and Stephen, alongside Sierra Leonean national Paul Joy. The suspects were accused of smuggling large quantities of methaqualone and heroin across India, with police seizing 6 kg of methaqualone and 2 kg of heroin during the operation.
The rising prevalence of drug trafficking in India has prompted authorities to ramp up their enforcement efforts, with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local law enforcement agencies collaborating to tackle the issue. The government has also been focusing on implementing stronger anti-drug policies, while increasing public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
The arrest of Abajuvo, Malik, and their associates highlights the increasing role of foreign nationals in India’s drug trafficking networks. Nigerian nationals, in particular, have been frequently linked to international drug cartels operating within India. Nigerian drug traffickers are often involved in smuggling illegal substances into the country, sometimes with the help of local accomplices, like Sandeep Malik.
The involvement of foreign nationals in the Indian drug trade has raised concerns about the global nature of these networks. Drug cartels often operate across multiple countries, with international connections making it difficult for local law enforcement to address the problem on their own. Indian authorities are working closely with international law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat drug trafficking on a global scale.
The case of Abajuvo and Malik is just one example of how drug trafficking networks are increasingly becoming international operations, with individuals from various countries working together to smuggle illegal substances into India and other parts of the world. As these networks expand, the challenge for law enforcement agencies grows, requiring more robust and coordinated efforts to address the issue.
