44-Year-old Nigerian Arrested With Narcotics Worth N2.2BN ($2.8m) In India
500 grammes of cocaine and an astounding 16 kilogrammes of MDMA were found in the possession of a 44-year-old Nigerian national who was placed under custody.
The Nigerian was taken into custody by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) in India.
One of the biggest drug seizures in the city’s history has occurred with the seizure of the hard substance, which is estimated to be worth $2.8 million.
The suspect, living in Bengaluru on a business visa for a year, had rented a residence in Ramamurthynagar.
Investigations suggest his involvement in a more extensive drug network spanning neighbouring states in the country.
According to police sources, the illicit substances were cleverly concealed in parcels, camouflaged within chocolate boxes, soap covers, bedsheets, and garments.
The police said it suspected the Nigerian, who was not named, was gathering a massive amount of drugs ahead of New Year parties in the city.
Further intensifying the crackdown, the police have detained the landlord for neglecting to report the tenant.
Bengaluru police had launched a mobile app recently to help PG owners, owners of lodges and landlords to upload details of their tenants and guests voluntarily.
In a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday said it is investigating an incident at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, where an officer was observed soliciting ₦5,000 bribe from a passenger.
The Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed this in a statement, saying such behavior has rightfully raised public concern.