Navi Mumbai Police Arrest 16 African Nationals in Rs 12 Crore Drug Bust
Navi Mumbai, 16th December 2024: In a significant drug bust valued at ₹12 crore, the Navi Mumbai Police’s crime branch apprehended 16 African nationals for their involvement in the narcotics trade.
The operation carried out on Thursday night, was a joint effort between the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) and the Economic Offenses Branch (EOB). Police seized narcotics worth approximately ₹12 crore from the suspects, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bhausaheb Dhole.
The raids, conducted across 25 locations, led to the recovery of 2.45 kg of cocaine valued at ₹10.22 crore, 633 grams of mephedrone (MD) powder worth ₹1.48 crore, 58 grams of methylene valued at ₹11.60 lakh, 23 grams of charas worth ₹3.45 lakh, and 31 grams of ganja worth ₹6,000. Additionally, notices were issued to around 73 African nationals with expired passports and visas, instructing them to leave the country.
This operation is part of a larger series of drug raids across India. Earlier this month, Karnataka police arrested four individuals in Ullal district for allegedly trafficking MDMA drugs. In a series of follow-up operations ahead of New Year celebrations, authorities seized 50 grams of MDMA, ₹7.76 lakh in cash, a car, and three mobile phones.
In October, the Delhi Police carried out one of the largest drug busts in the city, confiscating over 560 kg of cocaine valued at nearly ₹2,000 crore, suspected to be part of an international syndicate run by Afghan nationals.
