Obiora Ikenna, from Anambra state, was arrested around 10 p.m on Sunday near Aya Chowk with eight grams of cocaine valued at more than US$22,000 globally.
He told the police that he came to India 14 months back on a tourist visa and lived in Arjun Nagar.
The police said Mr Ikenna’s visa expired on Feb 7, 2010.
“Initially, he exported ready-made garments, shoes and other accessories from Delhi to Lagos but incurred heavy losses,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chhaya Sharma.
Later, he met a Nigerian drug trafficker who lured him into the trade, said Mr Sharma.
