In a recent incident in Ghaziabad, two foreign nationals were apprehended on Sunday under suspicion of smuggling brown sugar with an estimated value of ₹12 lakh. The individuals in question have been identified as Innocent (aged 48) from Nigeria and Neema Sebastian (aged 31) from Tanzania.
According to information provided by the police, Innocent had been residing in Vikaspuri since 2019, while Neema had been living in Chandra Vihar since 2022. The arrest came after the police received a tip-off about two foreigners carrying brown sugar in Ghaziabad. A specialized team was swiftly dispatched to investigate the situation. The apprehension occurred in Kavi Nagar, where the suspects were waiting for an auto-rickshaw. The authorities confiscated 415 grams of brown sugar, which was estimated to be worth ₹12 lakh.
Both accused individuals had a four-month association and were reportedly working for an unidentified drug dealer in Delhi. They were responsible for transporting drug consignments from Delhi to various locations, including Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Nepal, and Punjab. For these services, they charged fees ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.
To track down the mastermind behind the operation, the police have assembled dedicated teams and shared information with the Delhi police. The operation’s modus operandi was explained by ADCP Sachidanand, who revealed that the main suspect dispatched smugglers to a location using rideshare services like Ola. After reaching the destination via local transport such as auto-rickshaws or buses, another person would collect the contraband. Following the delivery, the smugglers would return to Delhi. This case marked the first instance of the accused delivering illegal substances to Punjab, falling under the purview of the NDPS Act.
Innocent’s presence in India was initially on a tourist visa, but he is now claiming to have lost his passport and visa. Sebastian, on the other hand, arrived in India in November 2022, and her visa was set to expire by November 28.
Both individuals have been charged under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, as well as the pertinent sections of The Foreigners Act, 1946.
In other recent news:
- Police Search for Suspects in Dalit Teen’s Tragic Suicide: A 16-year-old boy from a dalit community in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, took his own life after alleged assault and verbal abuse by members of an upper caste community for talking to a girl from their community. The police have escalated charges to include abetment of suicide and caste-based discrimination, with an NGO urging the state government to provide compensation and a monthly pension to the boy’s family.
- BSF and Punjab Police Intercept Drug-Laden Drone: In a joint operation near Amritsar’s Rajatal village, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab police thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics using a damaged drone carrying around 3.242 kg of contraband drugs. This comes in the wake of a similar operation that led to the recovery of a quadcopter drone from Nestha village, as authorities intensify efforts to combat drone-based smuggling activities in the region.
- Delhi Robbery Solved Through ‘Trishul’ Tattoo Clue: Delhi police successfully apprehended a prime suspect and three of his associates involved in a robbery. The distinctive ‘trishul’ tattoo on the main suspect’s forearm was a key identifier. The robbery took place at an event management firm’s office, where the culprits used a toy gun to steal cash and belongings from the manager and his team. Investigations indicate that the main suspect had a personal vendetta against the firm’s owner. Stolen items and the suspects’ vehicle were recovered, suggesting potential insider involvement in the crime.
