Nigerian woman arrested as police crackdown on transnational cocaine ring in India

A 41-year-old Nigerian woman, Sarah Kumama, was arrested in Bengaluru, India, in connection with a transnational cocaine supply ring that has led to the arrest of 25 people in Tamil Nadu since January.

Police said Sarah, who also went by the aliases “Happiness” and “Blessings”, was taken into custody by a special team on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

She was a key link in the distribution chain which has networks across multiple cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

The crackdown began on Jan 25 with the arrest of Fayaz Ahmed, 31, of Royapettah, and S Chandrasekar, 35, of Koyambedu.

Both were caught with cocaine by a joint team from the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit and Choolaimedu police. 

Fayaz has a murder case pending against him.

Other related arrests include Nigerian nationals Eko Nathanial Chibuzor from Mumbai and Ebere Moses Obogodo from Bengaluru in March. 

Police said Nathanial was one of the key suppliers to Chennai-based peddlers. Pub DJ Julian Dishan, 33, and bar manager M Arunraj, 29, were arrested for allegedly distributing cocaine at a Nungambakkam establishment. 

Four individuals under the age of 21 were also on the accused list.

“With Sarah’s arrest, we have apprehended 25 people involved in this network. Efforts are on to trace more links in the supply chain,” said an investigation officer.

During the course of investigation, police recovered 65 grams of cocaine, 1.7 kg of ganja, two grams of ganja oil, four grams of OG ganja, 20 mobile phones, three two-wheelers, three cars, and two weighing machines.