The Delhi Police has busted a gang of African nationals involved in “drug hawking”. The gang headed by notorious drug peddler David, was involved in inter-State peddling. David and eight of his cohorts were arrested by the sleuths of the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Sunday after it got a lead from the Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police about their shady activities.
The Delhi Police's crime branch on Sunday raided a multistory building in Qutub Vihar, Goyala area in national Capital and arrested one of the most wanted Nigerian drug peddlers and eight other African nationals, including two women, staying without a valid visa. Police have also recovered 100 gram of fine quality heroin from the bedroom of the accused's flat.
“The STF of Punjab had shared information with Crime Branch of Delhi Police that they have arrested one African national with 1 kg of heroin. They shared some basic details of the person (an African National) believed to be the supplier of the drugs and also suspected to be one of the linchpins of the “drug vending” in the northern states including Delhi. Acting on the information African Nationals hideout was traced by a team and raid was conducted at multistory building situated in Qutub Vihar,” said Dr Ajit Kumar Singla. Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch.
“On search of other flats, some more African Nationals were found staying there. On verification, two African women identified as Joy (23) and Mimi (23) and six other African Nationals identified as Ibrahim Bakayoka (27), Anselem Chibuko (27), Anayo (27), Everistus (37), Anthony (31) and Emmanuel (35), were found staying in India illegally without any valid Visa or passport. Accordingly, they were also arrested in a case registered under Foreigners Act. The proceedings for their deportation to native country have been initiated,” said Dr Singla.
“Interrogation of the arrested African nationals revealed that they had come to India on business and student visas and did not return back to their native countries after expiration of the visa and continued staying in the country illegally,” said Singla.
“Whereas during interrogation the accused David disclosed that he had come to India in November, 2012 on a Business Visa for six months and did not return back to Nigeria after his Visa expired. During this period, he continuously visited Delhi, Goa, Mumbai and Chennai and stayed there and started a garment business. He started exporting garments to Nigeria from Chennai and Mumbai. But, his business was not profitable. So, he started supplying drugs to make easy money. Soon, he developed a good interstate network spanning across the northern states of India. He was earlier arrested in Goa in 2016 in a case of fake passport & visa and is on bail in that case. His further involvements all over India are being verified,” said the Additional CP.
“Further raids are being conducted to nab other members of his illegal drugs syndicate. Proceedings for deportation of these illegally staying African nationals are in progress. Action against the owner of property will be initiated for abetting the crime & not getting proper tenant verification,” Dr Singla added.