A Nigerian woman, Faith Racheal, has been arrested by Indian authorities in Delhi for allegedly smuggling and supplying a substantial quantity of psychotropic substances.

Reports indicate that Racheal was arrested on August 14 in the Mehrauli district of the capital city. Police found her with 3.87 kilograms of mescaline, a potent hallucinogenic drug valued at around Rs15 crore on the international market. Racheal had initially entered India on a medical visa in August 2022 but overstayed. During her extended stay, she reportedly became involved with a Nigerian drug smuggler and joined a narcotics cartel, where she played a crucial role in coordinating drug deliveries.

Mescaline, a psychedelic derived from the Peyote cactus and the San Pedro cactus, is known for effects similar to LSD and magic mushrooms. It is commonly used as a party drug and appears in various forms like powder, tablets, capsules, or liquid. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Amit Kaushik noted that the drugs were hidden inside packages of branded toffee and fish food, complicating detection.

Racheal’s arrest was the result of a tip-off leading to a raid in Mehrauli where the drugs were found. She remains in custody while authorities continue to investigate her connections and the broader narcotics network.