A special court in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, has convicted Emmanuel Chukwunonso Samson, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for drug trafficking. The case dates back to July 17, 2012, when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chennai Zonal Unit, intercepted three courier parcels containing 1.195 kg of heroin and 200 gm of methaqualone, valued at over Rs 2 crore in the international market.

The Seizure and Investigation

The parcels, concealed in ladies’ handbags, car gasket cardboard packs, and embroidery items, were destined for countries including West Africa, Australia, and Spain. Following the seizure, the NCB conducted further investigations, leading to Samson’s arrest in Erode. During a search of his residence, authorities found 4 kg of ganja, allegedly procured from Namakkal for onward shipment.¹

Conviction and Sentence

On September 20, 2025, the Special NDPS Court in Coimbatore convicted Samson under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Although the court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, a senior police officer revealed that Samson has already served his time and has been transferred from prison to a special camp.

NCB’s Commitment to a Drug-Free India

The NCB hailed the conviction as a “significant achievement” and reaffirmed its commitment to realizing the vision of Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India). This case highlights the ongoing efforts of Indian authorities to combat drug trafficking and their determination to keep the country safe from the scourge of narcotics.