Nigerian Man Dies in Indian Prison After Cardiac Arrest During Drug Case
A 66-year-old Nigerian national, identified as Solomon, has died in an Indian prison after suffering a cardiac arrest. The incident occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026, while he was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Greater Noida, India.
Chronic Health Issues and Sudden Medical Emergency
According to jail authorities, Solomon had been suffering from chronic health problems for a long time, including high blood pressure and severe kidney disease. On Friday morning, around 10 am, he suddenly experienced breathing difficulties within the jail premises and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Jail staff immediately shifted him to the Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) Hospital for emergency treatment. However, doctors at the hospital declared him dead upon arrival. Police officials stated that the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the completion of mandatory legal formalities.
Legal Custody and Background of the Case
Solomon had been in judicial custody since May 31, 2023, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He was lodged in the Gautam Budh Nagar District Jail, located in Luksar village. Following his death, GIMS Hospital authorities informed the Ecotech-I police station, and the deceased's family members and the intelligence department have been notified.
Further legal procedures are being carried out as per protocol. Jail administration officials confirmed that Solomon was undergoing medical treatment for his ailments at various hospitals in Delhi and Meerut prior to his death, and his health condition had remained critical for some time.
Arrest and Anti-Narcotics Operation
Solomon was among 10 foreign nationals arrested on May 17, 2023, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted by Greater Noida Police. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by then assistant commissioner of police Arvind Kumar intercepted a car carrying suspected foreign drug traffickers.
During interrogation, the accused revealed details about a drug manufacturing unit operating from a house in the Theta sector under Beta-II police station limits. Police subsequently raided the premises and busted an alleged drug factory being run from the rented house.
During the operation, officers arrested 10 foreign nationals and recovered a large quantity of narcotic substances, including cocaine and approximately 46 kilograms of MDMA, along with raw chemicals and equipment used for manufacturing synthetic drugs.
Following the arrests, a case was registered at Beta-II police station under various sections of the NDPS Act and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.
