MUMBAI: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Police has apprehended a Nigerian national in possession of high-value synthetic drugs and cocaine during a late-night operation in the Bandra-Khar coastal belt.

The Arrest

The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 PM on April 16. Officials from the ANC’s Bandra unit were conducting routine patrols on Sherly Rajan Road when they observed a man acting suspiciously. Upon noticing the police vehicle, the individual attempted to flee the scene, prompting officers to intercept him in the presence of local witnesses.

Seizure and Identification

The accused has been identified as Eze Njoku, 39, a resident of Nala Sopara. Subsequent searches revealed a pouch containing a significant quantity of illicit substances. The seized inventory includes:

• Cocaine: 213 grams, valued at approximately ₹2.14 crore.

• Ecstasy (MDMA): 45 tablets (24 grams), valued at approximately ₹7.2 lakh.

The total market value of the confiscated narcotics is estimated at ₹2.21 crore.

Investigation Details

Preliminary inquiries conducted by the Khar Police and ANC revealed that Njoku was in India on a valid visa set to expire in August 2026. During questioning, the accused informed officials that he had previously suffered a debilitating injury during a railway accident in 2019.

The Khar Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are currently investigating the supply chain to identify the source of the contraband and the intended recipients in the suburban Mumbai area.