The Excise department has sought the assistance of Central investigation agencies to trace a Nigerian national wanted in connection with the seizure of around 3.5 kg of suspected MDMA in Kozhikode in April.
Emmanuel Afam, 46, is suspected to be a key link in a synthetic drug network and is believed to have operated ‘drug kitchens’ in different parts of the country, according to Excise officials.
Afam, who reportedly arrived in India in 2021 on a medical visa, is suspected of manufacturing and distributing synthetic drugs through networks spread across several States.
The department recently issued a lookout circular after his alleged role in the case emerged. An inquiry through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office also found that his passport had expired last year.
Investigators believe that he is still in India, as the expired passport and the lookout circular would make it difficult for him to leave the country. According to them, Intelligence Bureau officers are expected to help with further investigation into the case.
Earlier, Afam’s movements had been traced to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The Excise recently received information that he could be in Bengaluru. With the assistance of the Bengaluru police, searches were conducted at several places where Nigerian nationals were staying, but they failed to yield any further leads.
According to Excise sources, a case relating to the alleged trafficking of MDMA is also pending against Afam at the Hulimavu police station in Bengaluru. The police there have also stepped up efforts to trace him.
Meanwhile, the investigation team said that some of the accused in the Kozhikode case had attempted to flee to Nepal. Further verification would be required to determine whether Afam was among the foreign nationals who were killed or survived in the recent floods in Nepal.
The case came to light on April 23 when the Excise squad arrested P.K. Shafeeq of Kondotty and Fathima Nasrin of Adivaram near the Olavanna toll plaza on National Highway 66 with around 3.5 kg of suspected MDMA. Further investigation led to the arrest of nine persons. Details about the Nigerian national surfaced following the interrogation of the nine persons arrested in the case.
Published – September 04, 2026 07:44 pm IST
