Tiruvallur police arrest two members of synthetic drug trafficking ring

Tiruvallur police arrest two Nigerians in a synthetic drug trafficking ring linked to Bengaluru and surrounding cities.

Continuing its intensified crackdown on synthetic drug trafficking, the Tiruvallur District police have registered another case involving commercial quantities of narcotic substances at the Gummidipoondi police station in Tiruvallur district.

Acting on tip-offs, a special enforcement team uncovered an intra-State drug distribution network allegedly operated by two foreign nationals. The team secured Nigerians Chibuzor Shedrack, 30, and Nonsojoachin, 42, who were found to be key operatives in the distribution network. Contraband including 55 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of methamphetamine, and 50 MMDA tablets were seized from the suspects. They have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

Nonsojoachin. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Tiruvallur Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivekanand Shukla said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were operating the network from Bengaluru with links in Chennai, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore, among others. They were allegedly running the cartel under the guise of a textile-related business. The accused were operating through foreign-based mobile numbers and were using social media applications to stay in contact with their associates. To avoid detection and financial tracking, most transactions were carried out in cash.

Investigation has further disclosed that the network functioned through a few local operatives who procured narcotic substances in bulk quantities and distributed them in retail, primarily targeting youth. During the operation, several incriminating materials connected to the drug trafficking network were recovered. Further investigation is under way to identify and take action against all other stakeholders involved in the supply chain, Mr. Shukla said.