EAGLE Force Cracks Down Drug Cartels & Hawala

Telangana's EAGLE (Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement) has busted a major foreign drug money laundering racket linked to Nigerian cartels.

Following the arrest of foreign national Onyeisi Esomchi Kenneth, also known as Maxwell Kenneth, investigators uncovered a sophisticated drug money hawala network operating across multiple States.

Maxwell was caught while attempting to sell cocaine and ecstasy pills in Hyderabad, and the investigation by "24 special Eagle teams" revealed that he earned a commission of Rs 68 lakh in one year, and used hawala transactions to remit the funds to his wife, brother-in-law and cartel bosses abroad.

This highlighted how even a single foreign peddler could generate massive drug profits, underscoring the grave threat posed by organised foreign syndicates, EAGLE said.

In total, 20 individuals were arrested, including hawala kingpins in Mumbai, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, and Rs 3.08 crore was seized.

EAGLE has urged all citizens to remain vigilant. According to the agency, homeowners should verify the identities of foreign tenants and report any suspicious activities. Parents are being encouraged to monitor their children's activities and approach EAGLE for assistance if needed. The general public are also urged to share any information on drug trafficking with the local police.

"Merely arresting or deporting foreign peddlers is not enough. Breaking hawala channels, tightening visa checks and strengthening inter-State coordination are critical to protecting our society from this menace," EAGLE said.