The man who runs Mumbai’s narcotics ring

Photo for representational purpose

After law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), considerably damaged the drug supply chain in the city, African national Musa saw his big chance and took it. Today, Musa is the sole supplier of narcotics in Mumbai and is known to surround himself with taekwondo-trained, sword-wielding bodyguards. While he had a narrow escape last week during an NCB raid in a forested area between Mankhurd and Vashi, which is considered to be his safe haven, the cops managed to arrest one of his main bodyguards, Obiorah Ekwelar.

Drug lord Musa (L), who sells drugs like mephedrone, cocaine and heroin and Obiorah Ekwelar (R), who is currently in NCB custody

NCB officials believe that Musa is the sole supplier of narcotics in the city and he sells drugs worth Rs 2 crore daily. Joint Director of NCB, Mumbai Zone, Sameer Wankhede told mid-day that most of the drug peddlers were purchasing narcotics substances from Musa, who suddenly became the biggest supplier. "Musa has been illegally living in India since his visa expired many years ago and has made Vashi, Ghansoli and Ulwe areas his safe haven," said an officer.

Also read: Five Mumbai cops hurt in operation to nab Nigerian peddlers

Surrounded by bodyguards

"He is always surrounded by six sword-wielding bodyguards and carries a pistol tucked in his waist. After we took action against some of the drug lords, including Chinku Pathan, Batata gang, Sultan Mirza, Arif Bhujwala, Ruby-Nilu and others, a vacuum was created in the city's drug supply chain. But soon the peddlers started to purchase narcotics substances from Musa, who operates from a forest area between Mankhurd and Vashi," Wankhede told mid-day. He further said that Musa and his men have created a terror-like situation among peddlers, who never dare to bargain with him while purchasing the drugs.

"When a peddler enters Musa's den, his men wield their swords and one of them pulls down the person's mask. Thereafter, his photo is clicked for future reference. Then the peddler is escorted to Musa, who pulls out his pistol and places it in front of him before striking the drug deal. By this time the peddler is so scared that he doesn't even dare to bargain. Musa sells drugs including mephedrone, cocaine and heroin," Wankhede added.

Drugs worth Rs 1 crore were seized during the raid last week. Representation pic

"Musa has direct links with the Columbia cartel to purchase cocaine, which reaches Mumbai via Africa. And after the consignments reach Mumbai, Musa's accomplices collect them. Recently, we arrested Mozambique national Fumo Emanuel Zedequias, who had 1.02 kg of cocaine concealed in his stomach in the form of 70 capsules worth '10 crore. He was working for Musa," Wankhede said. He further said, "His bodyguards are fast runners and good at long as well as high jumps. We have arrested Obiorah Ekwelar, who is one of his six bodyguards, during last week's operation code-named Apocalypse."

Cars parked outside

When the NCB team reached the forest area to conduct the operation, they found multiple high-end cars as well as motorcycles parked at the entrance. "These people had come from different parts of Mumbai to purchase drugs. Our prime motive was to arrest the Nigerian drug suppliers, so we did not focus on the vehicle owners. Also, we were understaffed," said an NCB officer.

In a bid to keep the deals hassle-free, Musa has hired a few youth from the nearby slum pockets. They have been tasked to alert Musa and his men by blowing a whistle or throwing laser light over the forest area."We have identified these youth but they cannot be arrested as we have not found drugs in their possession. But they will be brought for questioning," added the officer.

‘Ekwelar not cooperating'

The NCB conducted operation Apocalypse last week after two of their attempts did not yield any results and some of their men were injured in the melee with the Nigerians. They seized drugs worth Rs 1 crore. Wankhede said, "Ekwelar is not cooperating in the investigation."

Francis and Jojo

In a bid to interrogate Ekwelar, NCB sleuths had called a translator, who is also the religious leader of the Nigerians in Mumbai. "When we asked him to convince the Nigerians to wrap up their business from the forest area and surrender before the cops, he told us that they are like devils who would assault anyone who tries to dissuade them from doing the drug trade," said another NCB officer.

The central agency has also registered an FIR at Mankhurd police station against Musa and his men, including Ekwelar, Abbas, Jojo and Francis under sections 353, 332, 143, 147, 149 of the IPC.

Rs 1cr
Worth of the drugs seized during operation Apocalypse

1.02kg
Amount of cocaine seized from man who worked for Musa

Rs 2cr
Worth of the drugs that Musa sells daily