Not so fast, Indian officials say, as Nigerian woman is arrested in India over cocaine trafficking network.

Not so fast, Indian officials say, as Nigerian woman is arrested in India over cocaine trafficking network.

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Crime & Punishment.

A 41-year-old Nigerian woman named Sarah Kumama was apprehended in Bengaluru, India, on June 27, 2025, for her suspected involvement in a transnational cocaine trafficking operation.

Known by the aliases “Happiness” and “Blessings,” she has been recognized as a significant player in a drug network that spans Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Her arrest came after a months-long crackdown that commenced in January, resulting in the detention of 25 individuals.

According to Indian authorities, Kumama was responsible for coordinating distribution efforts and maintaining connections with other Nigerian nationals engaged in the syndicate.

The operation also revealed the presence of cocaine, ganja (also known as weed), mobile phones, and vehicles.

Her arrest represents a substantial advancement in India’s ongoing battle against international drug trafficking.

Legal Consequences Under Indian Law

If found guilty of cocaine trafficking in India, the penalties under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 are extremely severe, depending on the quantity involved:

Small quantity: Up to 1 year in prison, or a fine up to ₹10,000, or both.

More than small but less than commercial quantity: Up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine up to ₹1 lakh.

Commercial quantity (which cocaine typically falls under): 10 to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, plus a fine of up to ₹2 lakh or more at the court’s discretion.

In extreme cases, especially for repeat offenders or financiers, the law allows for life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

India takes drug trafficking very seriously, and courts rarely grant leniency in such cases.