HYDERABAD: Eagle Force nabs key hawala kingpin in ₹3 crore drug money laundering case
HYDERABAD: The Eagle Force, Telangana’s elite anti-narcotics unit, has arrested Dargaram Rataji Prajapati, one of the main hawala operators linked to foreign-based drug cartels laundering money across India. Acting on specific intelligence, the team led by Inspector K Praveen Kumar, along with Sub-Inspector B Jeevan Reddy, ASI Rajashekar, and PC Santosh, apprehended Dargaram in Mumbai and seized ₹3 crore in drug-linked cash from a hawala company.
Earlier, during a raid on M/s Bharath Kumar Chaganlal & Company at Phool Gully, Kalbadevi, Mumbai, Dargaram managed to escape. Investigations revealed that the firm acted as a front for laundering drug proceeds from Nigerian cartels through hawala channels. Since the crackdown, the accused had been evading arrest, changing locations frequently and deleting digital evidence related to illegal transactions.
Hawala chain spanned multiple states
During interrogation, Dargaram admitted to running hawala operations through offices at Javeri Chambers, Ratnapur (Ahmedabad) managed by Devji and Dilip, and Chandni Chowk (New Delhi) managed by Mukesh. His agents, identified as Uttam Singh alias Jaswant, Kheema Ram alias Raju alias Rajlaxmi (Goa), and Chetan Mavji (Mumbai), collected drug money—mainly from Nigerian nationals.
The funds were transferred to Nigeria under the direction of absconding Nigerian accused Sunny Pascal, with the proceeds being used for exports of fabrics, clothing, human hair and other goods.
Investigators said Dargaram’s associates Chetan Singh, Ronak Prajapati (manager), and Chetan Mavji frequently visited Bharath Kumar Chaganlal & Co. to handle cash transfers to cartel-linked cargo offices in Pydhonie and Mandvi in Mumbai.
Concerns over re-entry of deported foreigners
The arrest follows the earlier capture of Onyeisi Esomchi Kenneth alias Maxwell alias Emmanuel Bediako, a Nigerian national caught in Cr. No. 1/2025 of Rachakonda Narcotics Police Station (RNPS). He reportedly used five passports—four Nigerian and one Ghanaian—raising concerns about deported foreign nationals re-entering India under fake identities.
A total of 25 people have been arrested in connection with the hawala–drug money nexus so far, with ₹3.084 crore in cash seized.
Eagle Force issues public advisory
Eagle Force urged house owners to verify the credentials of foreign tenants, especially those from African nations, and to promptly inform local police about any suspicious activity. Citizens were also asked to report drug trafficking or hawala activities through the toll-free helpline 1908, WhatsApp (87126 71111) or email (tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in).
The agency assured that all information would be treated confidentially and credible informants rewarded suitably.
“Foreign drug syndicates are targeting Indian youth while draining national wealth through illegal hawala channels. Public vigilance is critical to counter this menace,” the Eagle Force said in a statement.
