Nigerian national wanted under Operation VISTA held with 23.74 grams of MDMA in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 20 (AHN) The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Central District Police has arrested a 26-year-old Nigerian national, involved in drug trafficking and wanted under Operation VISTA, with 23.74 grams of MDMA, a commercial quantity, police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Chidera Jonathan, was found overstaying in India without a valid visa. A case has been registered against him under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Kamla Market police station.

According to the police, a tip-off was received by ASI Satveer on August 18 regarding a Nigerian national involved in supplying drugs in the Central District area. The information was further developed on the ground by SI Pankaj Kumar and shared with senior officers, who directed immediate action in accordance with the law.

Following the directions, a team from the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Central District, laid a trap near Gate No. 4 of the Civic Centre in the Kamla Market area. The suspect was apprehended and identified as Chidera Jonathan. During a search, the police allegedly recovered 23.74 grams of high-quality MDMA from his possession.

During the enquiry, the accused was found to have overstayed in India without a valid visa. Police said he was also wanted under Operation VISTA, an initiative launched against foreign nationals allegedly staying in India after the expiry of their visas.

During sustained interrogation, Jonathan allegedly disclosed that he had procured the recovered contraband from another Nigerian national, identified as Prince, who is believed to be residing in Tughlakabad Extension.

The accused further told investigators that he had arrived in India in October 2024 on a medical visa as a medical attendant. However, after the expiry of his visa, he did not return to Nigeria and continued to stay in India illegally.

Police said the accused disclosed that he became involved in drug trafficking to meet his daily expenses.

Apart from the contraband, the police also recovered a mobile phone containing a SIM card registered in the name of another person.

The operation was carried out by a team of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Central District, comprising SI Monu Chauhan, SI Pankaj Kumar, ASI Sudhir, ASI Sunil, ASI Satveer, Head Constables Karnal, Dilshad, Dharmender and Pradeep, Constables Deepak, Nitin, Shaley and Vikram, and Woman Constable Himanshi.

The team operated under the direct supervision of Inspector Rahul Singh Adhikari and ACP/Ops/Central.

A case vide FIR No. 263/26, dated August 19, has been registered under Section 22 of the NDPS Act at Kamla Market police station, and further investigation is underway. The police said that the concerned Embassy is also being informed about the accused's immigration status.