PANAJI
In yet another major crackdown on international drug trafficking, the Crime Branch on Friday night arrested a Nigerian student and seized high-value narcotics worth around Rs 1.65 crore. The operation, carried out after a week-long surveillance, was following leads from the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau.
Addressing a press conference at police headquarters on Saturday, Superintendent of Police (CB) Rahul Gupta stated that Nnanyelugo Abasili, a 23-year-old Nigerian who had arrived in India on a student visa on April 28, 2025 was caught from his rented premises in Parra. He was caught red-handed with 2,400 ecstasy tablets weighing 1.123 kg, 60 grams of cocaine, 99 grams of brown heroin, 19 grams of crystal MDMA, and Rs 70,000 cash, all estimated at Rs 1,64,94,050.
Meanwhile, Mapusa police arrested Chigozie Ezekiel, a 24-year-old Nigerian and Ismale Baba, a 29-year-old citizen of Ivory Coast, from Boquenchi Arradi, Parra.
Gupta, who also holds the North district charge, stated that both cases appear to be connected. “We are investigating,” the SP added. While the alleged drug peddler was found with a valid visa, Ezekiel and Baba were found staying in India illegally.
The concerned officials of the institute in Goa, where Abasili has been pursuing his education, are likely to be questioned to assist the probe.
Gupta further stated that so far this year, police have seized drugs worth Rs 68.36 crore and arrested 74 persons, with the Crime Branch’s seizures estimated at Rs 57 crore and 15 arrests, including the busting of two international drug trafficking networks.
