Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 18: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested five foreign nationals, including a woman, for allegedly staying illegally in India and operating a transnational drug trafficking network from New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Tuesday.
The operation has so far led to the seizure of 14.787 kg of amphetamine, 67.840 kg of pseudoephedrine, 318 grams of cocaine and 6 grams of heroin, with the total value of the seized contraband estimated at nearly Rs 15 crore, the NCB said in a statement.
The arrested persons include Nigerian nationals Obase Prosper Ogboronjor, Abuchi George Okorie, Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie Joshua Igwe. The identity of the arrested woman, believed to be from an African country, is being established, the agency said.
Acting on intelligence inputs from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF), a joint search by the UP STF and NCB at Raju Park in Khanpur, New Delhi, on July 18 resulted in the recovery of 5.087 kg of amphetamine and the arrest of Nigerian national Obase Prosper Ogboronjor.
The UP STF was also looking for Ogboronjor in connection with a major cyber-fraud case involving around Rs 68 lakh. The investigation found that he had been overstaying in India after his medical visa expired in June 2023, the NCB said.
During a subsequent search at a premises in Hans Enclave, Gurugram, on July 21, the NCB recovered 9.7 kg of amphetamine and 67.84 kg of pseudoephedrine and arrested Nigerian national Abuchi George Okorie.
The NCB said pseudoephedrine is a notified controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and can be diverted for the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.
The investigation revealed that Okorie had entered India on a medical attendant visa that was valid until June 2015. He had allegedly continued to stay in India illegally after the expiry of the visa, the agency said.
Following backward linkages in the case, the NCB identified a suspected premises in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
A search conducted there on August 3 resulted in the recovery of 318 grams of cocaine and 6 grams of heroin and the arrest of two Nigerian nationals, Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie Joshua Igwe.
According to the NCB, both men had been illegally residing in India for the past 13 years.
During the operation, a woman accomplice allegedly attempted to escape by jumping from a balcony and sustained injuries. She is currently undergoing treatment, the agency said.
Further investigation into the transnational drug trafficking network is underway.