Cocaine worth Rs 6.3 crore seized from Andheri
The 1 kg of ‘highly potent’ cocaine seized from the Nigerian nationals would be mixed with other materials to produce 4-5 kg of adulterated cocaine that would be sold to end consumers (Representational Image, Courtesy: peterboroughpolice.com)
In a major bust, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch on Saturday arrested two foreign nationals with high-quality cocaine worth Rs 6.3 crore.
After receiving a tip-off, a team from ANC’s Bandra unit led by inspector Anil Wadhawane laid a trap and nabbed two persons from Andheri’s Amboli area.
Upon searching them, cops recovered a total of 1.005 kilograms of cocaine – worth an estimated Rs 6.3 crore in the illicit market – from their possession.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (ANC) Shivdeep Lande identified the two as Nigerian nationals Daniel Ifeanyichukwu Ezieke (38) and John James Francis (35). The accused are members of an international drug syndicate.
During interrogation, the duo revealed that they would import drugs in the country by air or post. Once the drugs reached here, local suppliers were given the consignment for storing and mixing.
The highly potent cocaine that was seized from the Nigerian nationals would be mixed with other materials before being sold to end consumers. According to reports, one kg of the seized material would become 4-5 kg after adulteration.
While cops are yet to ascertain the source of the consignment, samples have been sent to the Kalina forensic science laboratory for analysis. A probe to identify and nab their local contacts is also underway.
Meanwhile, the duo was been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and produced before a magistrate court on Sunday, which remanded them to police custody till January 17.
