Mumbai crime news: NCB seizes Rs 15 cr worth of cocaine, arrests two foreigners

Mumbai crime news In a major operation the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB has successfully dismantled an international drug syndicate culminating in the confiscation of two kilograms of cocaine from a Zambian national in a Mumbai hotel The contraband valued at approximately Rs 15 crore was intercepted by the NCB Mumbai team during a wellcoordinated raidThe apprehended individual identified as LA Gilmore had traveled from Lusaka Zambia to Addis Ababa Ethiopia to collect the illicit drug consignment Upon reaching Mumbai Gilmore checked into a hotel where NCB officials acting on specific information conducted a thorough search of his room The search revealed two kilograms of cocaine concealed in a bagDuring interrogation Gilmore provided valuable information about intermediaries involved in the drug trade in the region Furthermore it was discovered that he was receiving instructions from a handler The NCB team leveraging this information discreetly monitored the communication between Gilmore and his handlerSubsequently it was revealed that Gilmore was directed to travel to Delhi for the delivery of the narcotics The NCB Mumbai team promptly traveled to the national capital where they conducted surveillance in the designated delivery area In an operation on Saturday a Tanzanian woman named MR Augustino intended to receive the consignment from Gilmore was intercepted and subsequently arrestedThe investigation has unveiled the extensive reach of the international drug syndicate spanning multiple cities including Mumbai Delhi Bengaluru and GoaMeanwhile on October 13 the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB in Mumbai carried out three major operations cracking down on both national and international drug trafficking networks These operations resulted in the seizure of 6959 kilograms of cocaine and 19925 kilograms of Alprazolam along with the arrest of nine individuals including three foreignersAlso read Thane crime news Man orders Rs 46000 iPhone online receives soap bars insteadThe first operation targeted a network involved in illicit drug trafficking from foreign sources into Mumbai with plans for distribution to other cities like Goa Bengaluru Delhi and Hyderabad NCBMumbai identified a Nigerian network based in Khargar Navi Mumbai which had received a consignment of cocaine During a search at the residence of Paul Ikenna a Nigerian national a total of 1959 kilograms of cocaine was seized Further investigations led to the arrest of two individuals in Surat Gujarat who were procuring drugs from Paul Ikenna In the course of the investigation a landlord from Mira Road and a bank manager were also arrested for facilitating illegal shelter and money laundering Paul Ikenna a habitual offender had previous drugrelated arrests dating back to 1989 and 2001 The investigation is ongoing to identify more crucial members of the networkIn the second operation NCBMumbai identified a Bolivian lady named Evelina Alvarez A who arrived in Mumbai via Dubai on October 12 2023 She was apprehended along with another Bolivian national Gloria Ilorca C at a hotel in Khetwadi Mumbai Cocaine weighing 2180 kilograms was recovered from Evelinas baggage while 2820 kilograms of cocaine was found in Glorias belongings The drugs were cleverly concealed among nonsuspicious items such as undergarments clothing toothpaste cosmetics soap footwear and a makeup kit The investigation continues with the involvement of foreign agenciesThe third operation began with credible information and extensive field surveillance NCBMumbai intercepted a vehicle on October 6 2023 near Kanhur Mesai TalShirur Pune Upon inspection a suspicious powder and laboratory equipment were discovered Further investigation led to the discovery of a clandestine lab in a factory shed nearby containing 17335 kilograms of Alprazolam and a large quantity of raw materials Another clandestine lab was found near Narayangaon TalAmbegaon Pune with 2595 kilograms of Alprazolam and raw materials Both labs featured stateoftheart equipment reactors generators and dryers These labs were operated by the same drug syndicate and the illegal Alprazolam manufactured was distributed in Maharashtra Telangana and Andhra Pradesh mainly for making illegal Todi Key members of the syndicate have been identified and the investigation is ongoing With inputs from agencies