Indian-Based Nigerian Arrested By Police Over Alleged Cocaine Supply

Police in India have arrested a Nigerian man, Ezeaputa Chijioke, over alleged involvement in the supply of cocaine to club-goers and partygoers.

According to a report by The Times of India on Tuesday, Chijioke was arrested on October 6 with about 70.5 grammes of cocaine during a crackdown on a drug supply network operating in Chandigarh and the tricity area.

The arrest was part of a wider operation that led to the recovery of a total of 113 grammes of cocaine and an ATM card, with three suspected drug dealers taken into custody.

The police said the operation began on October 4, when officers arrested one Rakesh Kumar, also known as Karan, near the Sector 23-C market and recovered 22.1 grammes of cocaine from him.

During interrogation, Kumar allegedly named Jaskaran Gill as his supplier. Gill was subsequently arrested in Dehradun the same day and reportedly told investigators that he obtained the cocaine from Chijioke.

The police further alleged that Kumar, a private cab driver, delivered cocaine to customers on Gill’s instructions and was paid Rs 500 for each delivery, while Gill coordinated the distribution and received payments through QR codes and online platforms.

Items recovered from Gill included 21.30 grammes of cocaine, a Mercedes-Benz, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Tata Safari, and an SBI ATM card allegedly linked to financial transactions.

The report added that Chijioke, who was reportedly residing in Kharar, could not produce his passport and was allegedly staying illegally in India. Police said investigation into the network is ongoing.