Nigerian arrested in India for mailing $720,000 worth of cocaine

India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai police, has arrested a Nigerian, Frank William, who belongs to an international drug racket, using postal services to smuggle drugs and contrabands.

William was found with 600gm of cocaine imported from Latin America. The cocaine, worth between $640,000-$719,500, was concealed in the axle of a vehicle that was sent via post from Latin America.

Sources said the NCB received a tip-off that a parcel containing drugs was to arrive in India. The NCB tied up with the postal services and ANC and trailed the consignment for nearly a week as it passed through two to three countries. When the parcel reached a post office at Khoparkhairane in Navi Mumbai, the officers laid a trap and arrested William, when he came to collect it.

“We could have stopped the parcel at the Foreign Post Office as all post parcels are routed through it. We played along so we could reach the recipient,” said an official, adding that the demand for cocaine is increasing in the city. The officer said international drug peddlers send parcels through postal services or courier companies and provide the wrong address of the recipient.

“They then track the parcel online. When it reaches its destination city, it lies at the post office, as the address is wrong. The recipient then picks it up from the post office,” said Sanjay Jha, zonal director of NCB.

In a related development, narcotic officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered a letter laden with heroin in Lagos. The letter, which was sent from Bengaluru, India, on Express Mail Service (EMS), was addressed to Mr. Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.

Upon interception by the NDLEA, about 480 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin was found inside the letter. The thin parcels of heroin were carefully hidden in the letter in a manner that makes it difficult to detect. This is the first case of heroin letter discovered by the anti-narcotic agency this year.

Director of Operations and General Investigation of the NDLEA, Mr. Mabo Olugbenga, explained that the suspect was apprehended following surveillance report on his illicit drug activities. “The illicit smuggling of narcotic drugs under the guise of letters was reported and closely monitored by the agency.

“It was confirmed that Mr. Yunusa Amusan was recruited by his uncle who lives in India to take delivery of heroin concealed in letters to avoid arrest by law enforcement agents. The suspect was arrested after collecting the letter and further investigation is ongoing.”

Yunusa, who is a technician, said that he has been running errands for his uncle who lives in India. “I run errands for my uncle who lives in India. He used to send money and letters to me to give to his wives and friends. Sometimes, he will ask me to buy foodstuff and sent to him in India and in return, he gives me money to take care and sustain myself.”