18 August,2023 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva Agashe
The police said both suspects have been arrested in the past for drug peddling
The Dongri police have apprehended two peddlers and seized drugs, gadgets and cash amounting to Rs 47 lakh, collectively from the accused. Receiving a tip-off, the police first nabbed a suspect identified as Shahnur Patel, 32, from Dongri. While being questioned, Patel confessed to the involvement of a Nigerian national who was allegedly helping him carry out the illicit trade. The police then launched a manhunt and apprehended the Nigerian national, identified as Chinasu Nemadi, 35, from Mira Road.
According to the police, both suspects have a criminal background and have been behind bars in the past for drug peddling. The Ghatkopar ANC had registered a case against Patel in 2022 while a case had been registered against Nemadi in Bandra in 2018. The police said the value of drugs seized from Patel is Rs 34 lakh. Additionally, a sword, a knife, a country-made gun, 26 mobile phones and other electronic devices were seized from his residence. Meanwhile, Rs 13 lakh worth of contraband was seized from Nemadi. The police have also seized his passport.
Both suspects were arrested on August 16 and sent to three days of police custody by the court. The police said the value of the total seizure (drugs and other gadgets) amounts to Rs 50.70 lakh. According to the police, Nemadi came here to India in 2017 as he had to undergo brain surgery. However, he got involved in drug peddling, police said, even as he claimed to be involved in a garment business in India. The police are trying to establish why Patel had weapons in his possession as part of the investigation, DCP, Zone 1, Pravin Munde said. A case had been registered against Patel under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and Arms Act, while Nemadi has been booked under the NDPS Act.
