The Police in India have uncovered a transnational drug distribution network allegedly operated by a group of Nigerian nationals, following a series of coordinated raids across the Delhi-NCR region over the weekend.

According to a report by thetimesofindia, three suspects, including two Nigerian women, were arrested for their roles in the trafficking of synthetic drugs such as MDMA and cocaine. The suspects, identified as Precious and Gift (believed to be a misspelling of Gift), were apprehended near Bakhtawar Chowk by officers from the Crime Unit, Sector 43.

According to investigators, the women had been staying at Food Empire, near the Bajaj showroom on Devli Road in Delhi, from where they allegedly managed deliveries to clients across Gurgaon and parts of Delhi.

“A total of 39 grams of MDMA, classified as a commercial quantity, was recovered from their possession,” the news platform quoted an unnamed police officer as saying. “They have been booked under Section 21(C) of the NDPS Act at Sadar Police Station, Gurgaon.”

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Quoting police sources, the newspaper reported that the Nigerians entered India on medical visas two years ago but remained in India illegally after their visas expired. Apart from supplying drugs, they were said to be involved in sex work around MG Road at night.

It added that based on information obtained during interrogation, a team led by Inspector Narendra raided a building in Khanpur Extension, Delhi, on Sunday morning with assistance from the Delhi Police.

The operation led to the seizure of additional narcotics and drug-making equipment, including 22 grams of white MDMA, 3 grams of brown MDMA, 9 grams of cocaine, an electronic weighing machine, packaging materials, and mobile phones.

Another Nigerian woman, identified as Joy, was found at the premises. Police said her boyfriend, believed to be a key figure in the drug ring, had escaped a day earlier.

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“The entire building had been rented by Nigerians who were running a drug manufacturing and distribution setup,” Inspector Narendra said. “They produced MDMA and cocaine using chemical substances and distributed them nationwide through the dark web and other covert channels.”

Recall that in October, Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Police in India arrested a Nigerian national following the seizure of 523 grams of cocaine valued at approximately ₹5.23 crore (worth about N861,705,887.60) during an early morning operation on Saturday.

According to https://www.lokmattimes.com police sources said the operation was conducted around 4:15 a.m. near Diamond Ayva Hostel on Hansmukh Road, Vakola, after a patrol team noticed a man loitering suspiciously on the pavement.

Officers reportedly invited independent witnesses to the scene before carrying out a search.

A white nylon bag was allegedly found in the suspect’s possession, which contained a transparent plastic pouch holding the cocaine.

United States President, Donald Trump, has announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports following a negative television commercial that featured a speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Officials in Ontario said the ad, which criticises Trump’s tariff policy, will be pulled from the airwaves next week.

However, Trump stated in a social media post that since the ad aired during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, he decided to increase duties on Canadian goods.

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“Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform.

Earlier in the week, Trump had announced that trade talks with Canada were being suspended over the commercial, which debuted earlier this month.

According to ABC News, the ad includes audio excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 address, delivered when he imposed duties on certain Japanese products. In the speech, Reagan warned about the long-term economic risks of high tariffs and the potential for a trade war.

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Trump also claimed, without providing evidence, that the ad “was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their ‘rescue’ on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States.”

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case this term concerning Trump’s extensive tariff policy.

In response to the controversy, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute said on social media Thursday evening that the Canadian ad campaign used “selective audio and video” of Reagan and “misrepresents” what he said in the address.

The foundation added that it was reviewing possible legal actions.

UK police were still hunting Saturday for an Ethiopian asylum seeker and convicted sex offender whose crimes sparked a wave of anti-immigration protests and who was accidentally released from prison.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by Friday’s “totally unacceptable” error that saw 38-year-old Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu freed rather than sent to an immigration detention centre.

“This man must be caught and deported for his crimes,” the UK leader added.

Kebatu had served the first month of a one-year sentence for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman, but was reportedly due to be deported when the Prison Service mistake occurred.

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Kebatu’s high-profile case earlier this year in Epping, northeast of London, sparked demonstrations in various English towns and cities where asylum seekers were believed to be housed, as well as counter-protests.

Justice Secretary David Lammy said late Friday night that Kebatu was “at large in London” after he was seen boarding a train to the capital in Chelmsford, eastern England.

Essex Police, which is leading the search with the help of London’s Metropolitan Police, said Saturday that “inquiries are continuing at pace this morning to locate and arrest” him.

“Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage,” the force added, noting “it is not lost on us that this situation is concerning to people”.

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The Telegraph reported he was wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence and handed a £76 ($101) discharge grant.

The father of Kebatu’s anonymous teenage victim told Sky News that “the justice system has let us down”.

Police arrested the asylum seeker in July after he repeatedly tried to kiss a 14-year-old girl and touch her legs, and made sexually explicit comments to her.

He also sexually assaulted an adult woman, placing a hand on her thigh, when she intervened to stop his interactions with the girl.

At the time, Kebatu was staying at Epping’s Bell Hotel, where scores of other asylum seekers have been accommodated, and which became the target of repeated protests.