The Navghar police have arrested two Nigerian nationals, who allegedly sold cocaine in the city, and an Ola driver who helped them.
The police said the accused have been identified as Enoch Merit (28), Jarchigu Dasilva (32) and Pravin Pote (33), all residents of Koparkhairane. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VII) Akhilesh Singh said Mr. Merit and Mr. Pote were arrested in Mulund on Thursday night based on a tip-off.
Mr. Singh said, “We received information that the accused would come near the cement yard in Mulund to sell cocaine. We laid a trap and the accused reached the spot in an Ola cab. We found 12.5 grams of cocaine in their possession.”
Their interrogation revealed the involvement of Mr. Dasilva and he was arrested from his house in Koparkhairane. The police seized 15.5 grams of cocaine from his possession.
Officers said Mr. Pote was a registered Ola driver and helped the Nigerian nationals in travelling from their house to make deliveries. He was given a share of their profits. All the three accused have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and remanded in police custody.
4 others being quizzed
Mr. Singh said, “It is not clear whether the trips were made using the Ola app. We are investigating how long the accused have been active.” The police are also making inquiries with four other Nigerian nationals who are staying in the same building as the accused.
Mr. Singh said, “Two of the four had bogus passports, while the others have overstayed their visa terms. We will verify their details before taking action.”
