NCB alert over drug rings of Nigerians

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has alerted Delhi Police on the rising threat posed by drug trafficking syndicates allegedly run by Nigerians in the city, reports Abhishek Sharan.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has alerted Delhi Police on the rising threat posed by drug trafficking syndicates allegedly run by Nigerians in the city.

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“The alert was issued to Delhi Police’s top brass recently to seek their help in keeping a watch on suspects among Nigerians in the city,” confirmed a senior NCB officer who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

“These syndicates are the biggest operators in the city currently and they use it as a transit point to smuggle out contraband like heroin and cocaine to the US, Europe and Australia.”

“We have identified around eight areas in the city — including Tilak Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Munirka and Vasant Vihar — where these syndicates are active,” he said. The agency has sought Delhi Police’s assistance in vetting the identity-cum-domicile particulars of around 8,000 Nigerians living in the city, though only around 2,000 of them possess legal documents for their stay.

“We have seen that syndicate members have forged identity cards, passports and visas and it takes a lot of time to get them checked by the concerned central authorities,” said another NCB source.

The NCB believes these syndicates’ secretive, almost fool-proof, trafficking routes could be used to smuggle in arms and fake currency.

A month ago, the NCB had busted such a gang operating out of a flat at Santgarh in Tilak Nagar, arresting nine alleged members and seizing 7 kg of heroin. Five of those arrested were Nigerians.