FROM NIGERIA TO NEW DELHI: GLOBAL COCAINE SYNDICATE BUSTED IN DARING POLICE OPERATION BY CRIME BRANCH DELHI POLICE WITH RECOVERY OF DRUGS WORTH 100 CRORES

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

• MASSIVE RECOVERY: DRUGS WORTH 100 CR IN INTERNATIONAL MARKET RECOVERED.
• INTERNATIONAL SYNDICATE HAVE PRESENCE IN MALAYSIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, JAPAN AND UNITED KINGDOM
• SYNDICATE OPERATED VIA CALL CENTER MODEL USING WHATSAPP AND FACILITATED FOOD DELIVERY APP STYLE DELIVERIES VIA LOCAL NIGERIAN NATIONALS.
• PASSPORTS OF MULTIPLE NATIONS ASSOCAITED TO SINGLE PEDDLER FOUND.
• 05 FOREIGN NATIONALS ARRESTED, MASTER COORDINATOR HELD WITH CASH, FAKE ID, COCAINE IN HONDA CITY CAR.
• MOBILE PHONES, PASSPORTS, NOTEBOOKS HAVING RECORD OF SALE OF DRUGS ETC.
• HONDA CITY CAR AND RS.2,07,500/-IN CASH  SEIZED.

• 7. Cross-Border Hawala-like Money Laundering:

• Collected drug proceeds in India were laundered via an informal currency exchange network.
• Indians residing in Nigeria who wished to send money to India paid the equivalent amount in Naira to the syndicate.
• Their relatives in India received the corresponding sum in Indian Rupees, thus bypassing formal banking channels.
• The syndicate charged a commission of 3–5% on each such transaction.
• In the last 6 months alone, over 85 Crore Naira has been identified as part of these illicit cross-border transactions.

• 6. International MDMA Export:

• The syndicate established local MDMA manufacturing units in India and exported the substance to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, and the United Kingdom using international courier services.

• 5. Delivery Mechanism:

• The syndicate adopted a Food Delivery App-style delivery model, dispatching deliveries based on live customer locations.
• Delivery agents followed a uniform dress code — checked shirts and black helmets — to maintain consistency and customer recognition during handovers.

• 4. Local Operations and Customer Management:

• Ibe/Victor managed customer communication, kept detailed sales records, and operated a localized call-center-style hub.
• Handlers in Nigeria maintained centralized customer databases, ensuring that if a foot soldier was arrested, he could be quickly replaced without loss of customer data or disruption to operations.

• 3. Layered Distribution Network:

• The adulterated product is then distributed to Level-B operatives such as Ibe alias Victor, who release the stock on a weekly basis to Level-C distributors.
• These Level-C operatives, including foot soldiers like Tall Guy and Kalechi alias Victor, conduct final deliveries to end users.
• Weekly payments are collected from these lower-level operatives and passed up the hierarchy.

• 2. Domestic Processing and Distribution:

• Upon entry into India, the consignment is received by Kameni Philipp, the India operations head and nephew of Kallis.
• Philipp supplies the consignment to Level-A distributors like Godwin John alias Adore.
• Adore chemically adulterates the pure cocaine in a 1:4 ratio using neutral cutting agents, transforming 1 kg of pure cocaine into approximately 5 kg of street-grade cocaine.

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  SEIZURES SUMMARY:

  Substance	Quantity
  Cocaine	2012g (Philipp) + 202g (Koulaie Philippe @ Tall Guy) +156g (Adore) + 148g (Kelechi) + 185g (Ibe) = 2703g
  MDMA	895g (Parcel) + 146g (Adore) = 1041g
  Ganja	1028g (Adore)
  Cash	Rs 1,16000 & Rs 91,500 (from Kelechi Chikwe & Ibe Chinedu Austin)

   

   SYNDICATE MODUS OPERANDI

  The transnational drug trafficking syndicate, masterminded by one Callistus alias Kallis operating from Nigeria, has orchestrated a sophisticated network for the import, processing, local distribution, and international export of narcotic substances, primarily cocaine and MDMA. The syndicate has demonstrated a highly compartmentalized and resilient operational structure. The following outlines their modus operandi:

  1. Smuggling of Pure Cocaine into India:

• The syndicate imports pure Colombian cocaine into India using female Indian nationals as carriers, exploiting their lower risk profile at international borders.
• These couriers conceal the drugs in their baggage and pass through customs with minimal suspicion.
• Accused Kelechi Chikwe @ Victor disclosed that he came to India in December 2020, sent by his Nigerian boss Kallis, under the guise of being a medical assistant. He began working for Kallis soon after, receiving instructions via WhatsApp calls from Nigeria. His initial handler was Philipp, nephew of Kallis, who directed him to various Nigerian contacts in India for cocaine supply. Philip put him under the wing of their old and trusted syndicate member Ibe@Victor who was in India since 2011. Ibe confiscated Kalechi’s passport, so that he could not abscond or refuse their drug deliveries. Kelechi operated primarily in Vasant Kunj under the name Victor, delivering drugs based on instructions received over calls, he stayed connected on call during deliveries until payment was collected. He handed over cash to African associates near Jal Board Office, Vasant Kunj, as per Kallis’s directions. Once stock ran out, fresh consignments were arranged. This was ensured to air gap the real handler exposed to customer over call and the actual delivery agent.
• Ibe Chinedu Austin @ Elinwa @ Victor NzubechukwuNwa, a Nigerian national who entered India illegally in 2011, operated in Delhi NCR using forged identities. Originally a street-level dealer, he later assumed a supervisory role after his associate's arrest, coordinating deliveries, storing narcotics, and maintaining client communications across Kishangarh, Vasant Kunj, Munirka, and Noida. During interrogation, he admitted using multiple forged documents (Aadhaar cards, passports).

• PROFILE OF ACCUSED PERSONS:

• Accused Kameni Philipp, a 44-year-old national of the Republic of Cameroon, currently resides at a rented accommodation in Rajpura Khurd, Delhi. He is uneducated and lives with his wife, Smt. Sinchiya, and their three children. Kameni first entered India in 2017 using a Nigerian passport and stayed in Tamil Nadu, where he became involved in drug trafficking with other African nationals. After returning to Nigeria in 2020, he re-entered India in March 2025 on a medical visa using a Cameroonian passport obtained through his mother’s lineage. Settling in Chhatarpur, Mehrauli, he resumed narcotics operations and reactivated his old network. His associate, Victor, supplied a large quantity of MDMA, which they packaged into two parcels bound for New Zealand and Australia using fake KYCs. Later, his Nigerian handler, De Callistus, provided him with Pure Columbian cocaine bricks. Kameni distributed cocaine in South Delhi through Kelechi Chikwe @ Victor and Kaulaie Phillippe @ Tall Guy. He even had associates in Goa, Bangluru and Tamil Nadu. He adulterated pure cocaine in a 1:4 ratio to produce street-grade cocaine, selling it at huge profits. The two bricks of Cocaine recovered from him would have yielded around 8-9 KG of cocaine worth over 80-90 Cr in International market. They used to mix neutral substances as well other cheap chemical drugs to increase the quantity as well as potency of the Cocaine. The chemical drugs mixed in Cocaine raised reliance of the consumer on this specific cocaine.
• Accused Koulaie Philippe s/o Falise, a national of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, voluntarily disclosed that he came to India in 2019 on a valid visa and Nigerian passport but continued to reside illegally after visa expiry. To avoid detection, he procured and used a forged passport and visa arranged through the narcotics syndicate led by Callis, who operates from Nigeria. Koulaie has been working as a delivery agent for this international drug syndicate, which functions through Nigerian WhatsApp numbers managed by call center operators under Callis’ supervision. Orders are routed to delivery agents in India based on location. Drug consignments were handed over to him by agents or collected from locations in Noida, Gurugram, and Delhi as directed by Callis. Emmanuel, a relative of Callis, used to collect drug proceeds. Koulaie was instructed never to communicate with customers and to use dedicated phones for syndicate communication. His primary delivery zone was South Delhi, especially the Qutub Institutional Area and nearby party venues, where he regularly delivered party drugs, mainly cocaine and high prices. Syndicate delivery agents, including Koulaie, followed a dress code—typically a checked shirt—for discreet identification during handovers. It was also informed that if one delivery boy gets arrested , then he was immediately replaced by the new one as the customer’s data and the number on which customers called remained with the Nigerian Handlers.
• Accused Godwin John @ Adol Phus @ Adore, aged 53 years, s/o Igwe Obi, r/o 141, 3rd Floor, Chattarpur Extension, Delhi (national of Nigeria), voluntarily disclosed that he came to India in 2019 on a medical visa and continued to reside illegally in Chattarpur after its expiry. He operates a kitchen in Chattarpur, which he also used for drug operations. He works under Callistus @ Callis, the Nigeria-based kingpin of an international drug syndicate. Callis sends cocaine through Nigerian carriers who conceal the drugs in their check-in baggage. Godwin or his associates receive these consignments at the airport as per Callis’s instructions. He has handled these consignments for several years. In December 2024, he received 7 kg cocaine, but a monetary dispute led Callis to send his nephew Kameni Philipp in March 2025 to take charge. Philipp began distributing consignments personally at Godwin’s kitchen and monitored sales and payments. The MDMA business was managed by anther Nigerian National who is still on run, MDMA is being locally manufactured in India. After Philipp’s arrest, Callis instructed Godwin to resume active control. He was introduced to Victor, a former associate of Philipp, whose stock had depleted. Godwin supplied Victor with cocaine, which was further distributed in Vasant Kunj and Kishan Garh, proceeds of drugs were converted into Naira and deposited into his wife’s Nigerian bank account via sub-dealers. Godwin managed the account using net banking and further transferred funds to Callis. Cash was also handed over to Philipp during his tenure. The syndicate has a systematic order and delivery mechanism, with Nigerian WhatsApp numbers operating as call centers in Nigeria to receive orders from Indian customers. For customers preferring voice calls, local Indian handlers using disposable numbers were deployed. These handlers coordinated between customers and delivery boys through parallel, anonymized calls. Money collectors picked up cash daily from delivery boys at fixed times and spots, ensuring minimal exposure between operatives. Occasionally, Callis received payments directly from major handlers like Godwin and Philip into his Nigerian company account.

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  STREET-LEVEL REACH & SUPERVISORY LINKS

• On 10.07.2025, Kelechi Chikwe @ Victor was arrested upon identification by Adore as the delivery agent of Vasant kunj Area, and a recovery of 148 grams of cocaine and One Lakh Sixteen Thousand Rupees was affected from his possession.
• Kalechi revealed clues about his handler Ibe@Victor. Further trail eventually led to the arrest of Ibe Chinedu Austin @ Elinwa @ Victor NzubechukwuNwa on 22.07.2025 at Priya Crossing, Vasant Vihar.
• He was found hiding 185 grams of cocaine inside the car, ?91,500 in cash, a fake Aadhar card and other ID, and using a Honda City car to manage deliveries. Ibe was the handler of Kalechi and once Kelechi was arrested to took over the deliveries. He even took out evidences from Kalechi’s house to avoid linkage. The record of sale of drug was maintained in several notebooks and dated back to the year 2019. The average sale of Vasant Kunj area alone amounted over 1cr. Each month.

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  INTERNATIONAL TRAIL: COCAINE SUPPLY, WHATSAPP COMMANDS, FAKE DOCUMENTS

  Investigations revealed:

• 18 kg of cocaine was supplied by Kalis to Kameni Philipp for India-based distribution.
• Proceeds were funneled into a Nigerian shell company, using hawala network and intermediaries.
• WhatsApp and voice note analysis exposed a call-centre-like operation run from Nigeria, with orders placed by Indian.

• INTRODUCTION:

  In a major crackdown on a transnational drug cartel, the AGS/Crime Branch of Delhi Police has unearthed and disrupted an elaborate international narcotics distribution network run by a West Africa–based drug kingpin Callistus @ Kalis. The syndicate, spanning continents, was operating with a highly organized structure—utilizing encrypted WhatsApp channels, forged documents, and Indian-based foreign nationals for last-mile drug deliveries. The case has led to the recovery of over 2.7 kilograms of high-grade cocaine, more than 1 kilogram of MDMA, and over 1 kilogram of Ganja—all linked to this global cartel, which had set up Food Delivery App-style dispatch logistics for drugs across Indian cities. The Syndicate has its presence in multiple nations including Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and United Kingdom.

  BRIEF FACTS OF INCIDENT:

  INITIAL TRIGGER – RAID AT COURIER FACILITY UNVEILS GLOBAL OPERATION

  On 13.06.2025, credible intelligence received by Ct. Hemant led to a raid at a Courier facility in Moti Nagar, New Delhi. A suspicious parcel with Tracking ID No. 7296642076 was intercepted and found to contain 895 grams of MDMA, cleverly concealed among samples of Indian Suits and ladies shoes packaging.

   

   

   

   

  INFORMATION, TEAM & OPERATION:

   

  On the tip that a narcotics-laden parcel was heading abroad via Courier, a swift action plan was set in motion.

  A specialized team led by Inspector Arvind Kumar, along with SI Pardeep Kumar, SI Naveen, SI Rajbir Singh, ASI Mahesh Singh, HC Yogesh, HC Sandeep, and Ct. Hemant, worked/investigate the case  under the close guidance of ACP Bhagwati Prasad and overall supervision of Sh. Harsh Indora, IPS, DCP/Crime Branch. Their timely action foiled what could have been a successful international narcotics delivery.

  The parcel’s trail was followed through puzzles of fake addresses and different ID’s and finally led to Cameroonian national Kameni Philipp, from whose possession further recovery of 2012 grams of cocaine was affected, the said cocaine was in purest form and was molded into compressed bricks with waterproof packaging. His interrogation blew open the cartel’s core structure—revealing a tight-knit operation directly linked to Callistus @ Kalis, a Nigerian national controlling the global supply chain from West Africa.

  The analysis established the involvement of another Nigerian national, Adore, who communicated with Philipp over multiple WhatsApp numbers. Preliminary translations of voice notes exchanged between them in African Language indicated that Adore had received 7 kilograms of cocaine from Kalis, and that Philipp was overseeing the collection of sale proceeds. It was also revealed that previously Adore was the head of Indian Operations as Philip was deported on his previous Nigerian passport. But Kalis arranged for a different passport for Philip from Cameroon and sent him back to take control of operations from Adore.

  On the instance of Phillip one of their syndicate associate Philip @Tall guy was arrested on 29th June and recovery of 202 grams was affected from him. It was also revealed that their syndicate operates a call center like setup in Nigeria where Indian customers place orders on whatsapp numbers and delivery of drugs was ensured via their local delivery boys located closest to the customer. Philip @Tall Guy was one such delivery person. He delivered coacaine and MDMA in south Delhi and Saket area to youngsters. He used to receive wahtsapp calls from Nigeria from a UK number and was instructed with quantity of the drugs to be delivered and number of the car of the customer along with the location. Based on the information he delivered the drugs and collected payments. Like established business on a specific weekday and time he had to reach a specific place to delivery cash collected and receive fresh drug stock. He did not know the identity of the person receiving cash and delivering drugs. This was to ensure that if gets caught he could not take law enforcement agents to any further syndicate members. Prior to Philip’s arrival in March 2025, Adore handled all operations of the syndicate, but due to financial issue Kalis sent his nephew Philip.

• Based on inputs provided by Philipp, Adore was arrested from Chattarpur area and search of his rented safehouse led to recovery of  146 grams of MDMA, 156 grams of Cocaine and 1028 grams of Ganja. customers and relayed to local delivery agents. Adore confessed to distributing 7 kg of cocaine, and identified his associate Victor, a street-level distributor operating in Vasant Kunj.

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