The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a Nigerian couple for allegedly possessing cocaine and mephedrone valued at approximately Rs 29.60 lakh.
According to Sandeep Nigade, Senior Inspector of the ANC unit, the suspects were apprehended around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday near Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital along the Thane-Belapur Road while allegedly attempting to sell narcotics.
The suspects were identified as Tony Ogbenna Adah, 35, and his wife, Namakula Grace, 30, residents of Palava City, a township near Dombivli in Maharashtra’s Thane district. Authorities said they recovered 25.4 grams of cocaine and 56.02 grams of mephedrone (MD) from the couple, with the seized drugs estimated to be worth Rs 29.60 lakh.
Nigade explained that the operation was carried out following intelligence reports indicating the couple would arrive at the location to conduct a drug transaction. Acting on the information, officers laid a trap and arrested the pair.
Investigators also revealed that both suspects were staying in India on expired passports and visas.
Police further disclosed that Adah had previously been arrested by APMC Police two years ago for possession of mephedrone. Although he was granted bail, he could not be deported to Nigeria because the court proceedings were still pending. Authorities said he had been living with his wife in a rented apartment in Palava City for the past year.
A case has been registered against the couple under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Turbhe Police Station.
Speaking on the arrest, Nigade said, “The arrested Nigerian couple are members of the drugs cartel operating from their rental apartments in Palava City, which has apparently become a hub of drug peddlers. Last month, in a major anti-narcotics operation, the Navi Mumbai and Thane police had conducted coordinated raids at 16 locations in Palava City township and Khoni Village, Dombivli, when as many as 24 African nationals, most of whom were Nigerian were arrested.
The sweep followed the arrest of the alleged international drug kingpin, Paul Chigbata Onuoch, who was wanted by Navi Mumbai police in an international narcotics racket probe.“
