Nigerian National Re-Arrested in India for Drug Trafficking After Bail

A Nigerian national, 36-year-old Peter Ikedi Belonwu, has been re-arrested in Mangaluru, India, for allegedly resuming drug trafficking after being released on bail in a previous case.

Belonwu was first detained in Bengaluru in 2023 and again in October 2024 when authorities seized 6 kg of MDMA, valued at approximately ₹6 crore. After securing bail, police say he violated conditions and restarted his operations, sourcing MDMA from Bengaluru and distributing it to local dealers and students in Mangaluru and neighbouring Kasaragod.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) acted on intelligence reports and carried out a targeted operation, leading to his arrest on February 15, 2026. Officers reportedly seized a significant quantity of MDMA and other materials used in trafficking.

Investigators noted that Belonwu frequently changed locations and used multiple mobile numbers to evade police surveillance. Authorities credited sustained intelligence gathering and inter-city coordination for tracking his movements and preventing further drug distribution.

The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Mangaluru City Police to curb drug circulation, especially among youth, and to take firm action against repeat offenders and organised narcotics networks operating across Karnataka.