The Mumbai crime branch’s Anti-Narcotic Cell apprehended a Nigerian citizen and seized 970 grams of Methaqualone worth Rs 97 lakhs (N54,084,810.80) on the international market from him.

On Friday, January 21, the accused, Joseph Chidibebere Ozor Iwuozor Inusa, a resident of morta apartment, 2nd floor in sector 18, Juhu gaon, Vashi, was arrested.

The 36-year-old Nigerian national was in India on a visit visa for garment business, according to the police.

One of the police officers from the ANC said, “The anti-narcotic cell and Mumbai crime branch is looking for foreign nationals who came on visit visa for clothes garments business and are selling drugs like cocaine, MD and others.

“The officials of Kandivli Unit of ANC were patrolling in Mumbai in search of peddlers. On January 21, at 6:45 the team was patrolling opposite the main pump house, Aarey Road, Aarey colony Goregaon East, Mumbai, when they found a suspicious person walking with a maroon bag on his shoulder. The team searched the bag to find two plastic bags with drugs in it.”

Datta Nalawade, the ANC deputy commissioner of police, stated that the accused was arrested with 970.7 grams of methaqualone worth Rs 97 lakhs.

“A case has been registered against him for keeping a commercial quantity of drugs with him. He was arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985,” added Nalawade.

On Saturday, January 22, the ANC Kandivali unit team presented the defendant in court.

“The teams are further investigating to get the supplier’s chain across Mumbai and its suburbs,” said a police officer.

The arrested Nigerian has a criminal record, according to the police. The ANC’s Worli unit had previously arrested him twice.

In 2012 and 2015, two separate cases were filed. He was detained and then released after posting bail.