A 36-year-old Nigerian national, Henry Chukwuemeka, has been apprehended by the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru, India, for his alleged involvement in drug peddling. Chukwuemeka was found in possession of 4kg of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) crystals at his residence in Anjanadri Layout, Jalahalli West, north Bengaluru, on April 6, 2024.
Upon receiving a tip-off, investigators searched Chukwuemeka’s residence and discovered that he had rented an adjacent house, where 4kg of MDMA, a weighing machine, three vanity bags, three black-colour carbon packing covers, and other valuables were discovered.
Chukwuemeka reportedly confessed to sourcing the drugs from foreign countries via courier, packing them in black covers, and hiding them inside vanity bags. He would then repackage them in smaller quantities and sell each gram of MDMA crystal for Rs 8,000-10,000 to college students, IT professionals, businessmen, and youth.
Upon receiving an order, Chukwuemeka would collect the money, pack the drug in a small packet, and leave it in a random location such as under a tree or beside a Bescom electric pole. He would then take a photo of the drug pack along with the tree or pole and send it to the customer on WhatsApp, along with the location of the place.
Chukwuemeka's modus operandi was designed to avoid revealing his identity. He informed the police that the black covers often went unnoticed, and if someone did notice, they assumed it to be cosmetic powder left in the vanity bag or prasadam of a temple.
A case under the NDPS and Foreigners Act has been registered against Chukwuemeka, who initially entered India on a business visa in 2022 but overstayed once it expired.