Nigerians top list of those caught over drugs

A 31-year-old Nigerian national was caught selling drugs on the streets of Mumbai on Tuesday. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has already arrested 30 other Nigerians this year till now for selling drugs. Last year it had arrested 37 Nigerians till the same period under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

This means that on average, three Nigerians are arrested every month for selling/possessing drugs in Mumbai. The above data was provided by joint commissioner of police, crime, Atul Kulkarni.

On Tuesday, the Azad Maidan unit of the ANC arrested Mike Uzodimma Uchechukwu while allegedly selling 10 grams of cocaine worth Rs 60,000 on P D’Mello Road in Masjid Bunder. He has been sent to police custody till November 27.

Since 1990 till date, as many as 300 Nigerian nationals have been arrested in NDPS cases by the ANC.

Of the 466 foreign nationals arrested in NDPS cases since 1990, 270 are Nigerians (58%) while the remaining 42% accused belong to 29 other countries.

Calling the statistic “significant,” a senior ANC officer said, “There are foreigners from other countries who have been caught for selling drugs. But a majority of them are from Nigeria,” said the officer.

An ANC official requesting anonymity said, “There is a need to bring in more strict rules and procedures in place, including giving out visas, taking more information from foreign nationals while allowing them into the country. ”