BENGALURU, INDIA – A major drug bust by the Anti-Narcotics Wing of Bengaluru City Police has led to the arrest of a Nigerian man with narcotics valued at over Rs 5.15 crore (around N800 million) on the international market.
The accused, Ernest Onyekachi Ugah, 45, was arrested on Monday night, January 19, 2026, at a rented house in the Munnekolalu area under Marathahalli police limits. Police said he was found in possession of 2.5 kg of MDMA and 300 ecstasy pills, allegedly preparing to peddle the substances.
Ugah’s criminal history reportedly includes two prior cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Bengaluru, and he had been recently released from jail. Authorities said they had been closely monitoring his movements before the arrest.
A police officer noted, “The accused came to Bengaluru around five years ago for medical treatment, but overstayed and remained involved in unlawful activities. His visa had expired, yet he continued to engage in criminal acts.”
Police have filed a new case under the NDPS Act. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the drugs, identify other members of the trafficking network, and uncover connections both upstream and downstream.
Authorities emphasised the need for fast-track trials for repeat offenders and foreign nationals. According to officers, delays in the judicial process allow such individuals to secure bail and continue criminal activities. “If fast-track trials are conducted, such accused can be deported quickly. Otherwise, they repeatedly get bail and continue the same offences,” said the officer.
This arrest comes amid ongoing crackdowns on international drug networks, with agencies like NDLEA actively pursuing traffickers. Some Nigerians abroad, police warned, engage in illegal acts that carry severe penalties, including the death sentence in certain countries.
