34-yr-old Nigerian footballer held with 25gm cocaine

In yet another drug bust, a 34-year-old Nigerian footballer was arrested from Kotla Mubarakpur on Sunday.

In yet another drug bust, a 34-year-old Nigerian footballer was arrested from Kotla Mubarakpur on Sunday.

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"Kingsley Izuchukwu (34) was apprehended with 25grams of cocaine," said Arun Kampani, deputy commissioner of police (special cell).

The arrest came following police receiving an input about fine quality drugs being supplied from neighbouring countries through different borders and brought to the Capital.

"It was also learnt that this drugs syndicate was being run by some Nigerian nationals based in Delhi. They sell it to people who use these drugs at various private parties, bars and nightclubs in the Capital," Kampani said.

Izuchukwu told police that he was a leading national-level football player of Nigeria.

"He used to play regularly for Pepsi football club Aba Estate of Nigeria. He came to India for the first time in 2009 and got connected with international drug peddlers of Nigerian origin operating in Delhi," Kampani added.

On April 5, Nigerian national Emeka Paul and an Afghan national Mohammed Sarwar were apprehended with 1.660kg of fine quality heroin.

On March 30, two Nigerian nationals Mohammed Owolabi Adigun and Akanbi Olamilekan Mohammed were apprehended with 120grams of cocaine.

During their interrogation, it was revealed that these Nigerian nationals supply drugs through their own network of select conduits belonging to Nigerian nationality.

Prior to that on February 24, Ekene Okeke, another Nigerian, was arrested with three grams of cocaine, who was also a national-level football player.

The police are interrogating Izuchukwu to know about their network of suppliers and dealers. They are also trying
to decipher the route and the ways they manage to smuggle the contraband into the country.