Five individuals, including two Nigerian nationals, were arrested in Golconda on Friday by officers from the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB). The suspects were found in possession of various illegal substances, including 20 grams of cocaine, 45 grams of MDMA, and 20 grams of ecstasy. The arrested Nigerians have been identified as Okoro Cosmos Ramsey and Chimezie Boniface Adikea. The other three suspects are Indian nationals—Veerapalli Lakshmipathi, Romi Bharat Kalyani, and Abdul Jafar Khan.
The arrests were made during simultaneous raids conducted at two different residences in Golconda. According to the police, all five suspects were previously incarcerated together in Chanchalguda jail and became acquainted while serving their sentences. After their release, Ramsey settled in Vinayak Nagar, Golconda, where he was later joined by Adikea.
Authorities allege that Ramsey and Adikea sourced their narcotics from a Mumbai-based supplier named James. They then sold the drugs to local peddlers, including Lakshmipathi. The investigation revealed that while Lakshmipathi was in Bangalore, he received a call from Ramsey informing him that 20 grams of cocaine and 30 grams of MDMA were available. He instructed Kalyani and Khan, who were in Hyderabad at the time, to purchase the drugs on his behalf until he returned to the city.
The TGANB stated that they moved in to arrest the suspects after receiving credible intelligence regarding their whereabouts. All five have been taken into custody and are expected to face charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The case highlights the growing nexus between interstate drug suppliers and local distributors, as well as the role of repeat offenders in sustaining illegal drug networks. Investigations are ongoing to track down the Mumbai-based supplier and dismantle the wider drug trafficking ring.
