Nigerian man arrested in India for cocaine supply

Indian police have arrested a Nigerian man named Ezeaputa Chijioke. He is accused of supplying cocaine to people at clubs and parties in India.

PUNCH Metro reports that the arrest happened on October 6. Chijioke was caught with about 70.5 grammes of cocaine. He allegedly used middlemen to distribute the drug.

The police arrested three other suspected drug dealers. They had a total of 113 grammes of cocaine and an ATM card. This was part of a crackdown on a drug supply network in Chandigarh and nearby areas.

According to the police, the operation started on October 4. Officers arrested Rakesh Kumar, also known as Karan, near the Sector 23-C market. They found 22.1 grammes of cocaine with him.

“During interrogation, he named Jaskaran Gill as his supplier. Jaskaran was arrested in Dehradun the same day,” the police said.

Gill reportedly revealed that he got the cocaine from Chijioke. Chijioke was arrested later on October 6 with 70.5 grammes of the drug. He did not have his passport and was allegedly staying in India illegally.

The police said that Kumar, a private cab driver, delivered cocaine to club-goers on Gill’s orders. He received Rs 500 for each delivery.

Gill allegedly sourced the drug from Chijioke and managed deliveries through Kumar. Payments were collected using QR codes and online platforms.

The police seized 21.30 grammes of cocaine, a Mercedes-Benz, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Tata Safari, and an SBI ATM card from Gill. They believe these vehicles were bought with money from drug trafficking.

Chijioke, who was living in Kharar, allegedly supplied cocaine to Gill.

PUNCH Metro also learned that police are still investigating the case.

This arrest comes just under three months after four Nigerian nationals were arrested in India. They were also involved in a drug trafficking network and had narcotics valued at about Rs 15 crore, which is around N2.1bn.

The Hindu reported that these arrests followed coordinated actions by the Narcotics Control Bureau, state police, and other security agencies. They were targeting foreign nationals suspected of drug trafficking and overstaying their visas.