Delhi Police busts drug network, arrests 3 including two African nationals
Synopsis
Delhi Police's East District Anti-Narcotics Squad cracked a cross-border MDMA supply chain involving two African nationals — a Senegalese supplier and a Nigerian source — and a local peddler from Burari. The bust, triggered by a tip-off on 30 June, yielded 21.09 grams of MDMA classified as a commercial quantity, and raises questions about undocumented foreign nationals operating narcotics networks in the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested three drug traffickers on 4 July , including two African nationals — a Senegalese and a Nigerian.
Total seizure: 21.09 grams of MDMA (commercial quantity) and 30 grams of ganja , valued at approximately ₹4 lakh .
The operation was conducted by the East District Anti-Narcotics Squad under Inspector Arun Kumar and ACP Pawan Kumar .
Both foreign nationals — John (Senegalese) and Solomon (Nigerian) — reportedly failed to produce valid passports or visas.
Three scooters and two mobile phones were also seized; investigation is ongoing to map the full network.
The East District Anti-Narcotics Squad of Delhi Police has dismantled an alleged drug supply chain operating in the national capital, arresting three accused — including two foreign nationals — and seizing 21.09 grams of MDMA, 30 grams of ganja, three scooters, and two mobile phones, officials said on Saturday, 4 July. The recovered narcotics carry an estimated street value of approximately ₹4 lakh in the international illicit market.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off received on 30 June, a dedicated team under Inspector Arun Kumar and ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar laid a trap near Star City Mall on the Delhi-Noida Link Road, after receiving intelligence that one of the accused would arrive to deliver MDMA. The suspect, John — a 35-year-old Senegalese national — allegedly attempted to flee by making a U-turn on the wrong side of the road. During the chase, he reportedly rammed his scooter into a road divider before being overpowered. A search of his person yielded 12.86 grams of MDMA. An FIR was subsequently registered at Mayur Vihar Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The Three Accused and Their Alleged Roles
During interrogation, John allegedly disclosed that he supplied MDMA to a local peddler at multiple locations between the Chilla-Noida border and Akshardham Road. This led investigators to Diwakar, 27, a resident of Baba Colony, Burari, who was arrested from Akshardham Road with approximately 3 grams of MDMA and 30 grams of ganja. Police allege Diwakar initially bought MDMA from John for personal use before turning to peddling for financial gain.
Further questioning pointed to a third accused — Solomon, a 37-year-old Nigerian national residing in New Ashok Nagar, described by police as the source of the narcotics. Officers laid a second trap near Crown Plaza Hotel Road and Chilla Border Road, arresting Solomon and recovering 5.23 grams of MDMA from his possession.
Immigration Violations and Seizures
Both foreign nationals — John and Solomon — reportedly failed to produce valid passports or visas during verification, adding a potential immigration dimension to the case. The total seizure of 21.09 grams of MDMA is classified as a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act. Three scooters allegedly used to transport narcotics were also confiscated.
Investigation Ongoing
The operation was carried out under Delhi Police's ongoing 'Zero Tolerance' policy against narcotics. Officials said the arrests have helped dismantle an active supply chain in the area. Investigators are now working to identify both backward and forward linkages of the network and to determine whether the seized vehicles were used in other criminal activities. Further arrests have not been ruled out.
Point of View
But sources have sources. The backward-linkage investigation will be the real test of whether this was a full dismantling or a mid-chain disruption.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three people arrested in the Delhi drug bust?
The three arrested are John, a 35-year-old Senegalese national allegedly working as a drug supplier; Diwakar, 27, a Delhi resident from Burari who allegedly acted as a local peddler; and Solomon, a 37-year-old Nigerian national described by police as the source of the narcotics.
What drugs were seized in the Delhi anti-narcotics operation?
Police seized a total of 21.09 grams of MDMA — classified as a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act — and 30 grams of ganja. The combined street value in the international illicit market is estimated at approximately ₹4 lakh.
Where did the Delhi Police arrests take place?
The arrests were made at multiple locations: near Star City Mall on the Delhi-Noida Link Road (John), Akshardham Road (Diwakar), and near Crown Plaza Hotel Road and Chilla Border Road (Solomon). All three locations are in east Delhi and its borders.
What is the legal status of the two foreign nationals arrested?
Both John and Solomon reportedly failed to produce valid passports or visas during police verification, suggesting potential immigration violations in addition to the NDPS charges. Their cases may be referred to immigration authorities alongside the criminal proceedings.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are working to identify backward and forward linkages of the narcotics network and to determine whether the three seized scooters were used in other criminal activities. Further arrests have not been ruled out as the investigation continues.
