Telangana Police target financial networks of Nigerian drug cartels

Money generated through the illicit business is being transferred out of the country through hawala channels, says TGANB

Hyderabad: With an aim to curb illicit drug trade, the Telangana Police are working out a strategy to cut illegal money routes utilised by Nigerian drug cartels to transfer money to their safe havens.

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau, during the recent arrests of drug kingpins found the money generated through the illicit business was transferred out of the country through hawala channels. Also, it was found the money was routed to Nigeria and other countries through bank transactions masked as trade transactions.

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The officials of TGANB, the agency actively pursuing drug traffickers, feel there is an immediate need to curb the money laundering activity. “Only after the money laundering is curtailed can one think of curbing the drug trade fully,” said a senior official of the TGANB.

The officials during investigations found that the gangs were using hawala channels to route money to African countries. “Once the proceeds of the drug business are transferred out of the country, it is impossible to seize the amounts. Our focus will be on curbing the money laundering activity which is the backbone of the trade,” said the official.

The officials will be reaching out to the banks and roping in other financial investigation agencies as money laundering and hawala angle has emerged in cases. In certain cases, it was found the traffickers purchased apparels and other stuff in India and shipped to their native place where it was sold in retail and money used for buying properties and other luxuries there.

The TGANB recently arrested a Nigerian national Emmanuel Bediako, and found he was on his third visit to India and he had earned close to Rs 1.20 crore as commission through the illegal business in India. A considerable amount was transferred to his master Romey, living in Nigeria.

“Emmanuel had obtained passports on different identities from various countries and travelled to India. We are also issuing Lookout Circular (LoC) to drug traffickers who are in India and pursuing Red Corner Notice against those involved in drug trade here and hiding in some other country,” said the official.