Delhi Crime Branch Dismantles International Narcotics Ring Worth Rs 12 Crore
Police operations in the Delhi-NCR region led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of substantial quantities of heroin and MDMA. The apprehended group includes three foreign nationals and two local residents allegedly operating an interstate distribution network.
Key takeaways
- Delhi Police seized 2.554 kg of heroin and 881 grams of MDMA worth Rs 12 crore.
- Five suspects, including three foreign nationals from Nigeria and Ghana, were arrested in a multi-stage operation.
- The syndicate operated a structured procurement and distribution network across the Delhi-NCR region.
- Investigation continues to identify further members of the supply chain following the recovery of 11 mobile devices.
Overview
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has neutralized an interstate drug syndicate following a series of raids that yielded narcotics valued at approximately Rs 12 crore on the international market. The operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals, including nationals from Nigeria and Ghana, alongside two local residents. Investigators recovered 2.554 kg of heroin and 881 grams of MDMA during the crackdown.
Key Facts
- Suspects Identified: The arrested individuals are Nigerian nationals Moris Okalie (52) and Ibegbu Chigozie Samuel (50), Ghanaian national Emmanuel (38), and Delhi residents Sameer (28) and a woman identified as Lady (36).
- Seizure Details: Total recoveries included 2.554 kg of heroin, 881 grams of MDMA, and 11 mobile phones used for coordinating transactions.
- Initial Arrest: The operation began during the night of July 19-20 when police intercepted Moris Okalie near a hospital in Shahdara with 2.004 kg of heroin and 863 grams of MDMA.
- Chain of Custody: Subsequent arrests occurred on July 23 and July 31, leading to the capture of the remaining four suspects in Chander Vihar, Ghaziabad, and Paschim Vihar.
- Criminal History: Several suspects are repeat offenders, with Okalie previously held for visa violations and both Sameer and Lady holding prior records under the NDPS Act.
Background
The syndicate functioned through a structured hierarchy involving the procurement, storage, and logistical distribution of high-value synthetic and organic drugs. According to police records, Moris Okalie had been overstaying his Indian visa since arriving in 2020. Ibegbu Chigozie Samuel, a resident of India for 14 years, allegedly leveraged connections within the Nigerian community in Chander Vihar to facilitate wholesale trade. The local suspects, Sameer and Lady, focused on the retail end of the operation, acting as last-mile distributors for street-level consumers and smaller peddlers in the Delhi-NCR sector.
What Happens Next
A formal case remains registered at the Crime Branch police station as authorities expand their investigation. The current focus of the Delhi Police is to map the broader supply chain and identify additional associates linked to this network to fully dismantle their regional operations.
Source: ThePrint
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