By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in Goa, India disclosed that it has raided a drug syndicate allegedly run by a Nigerian identified as Stanley and his wife, Usha C.
The Additional Director of NCB Goa, Amit Ghawate, who made this disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday, 11 April, 2024, said Stanley was arrested on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024 following a thorough investigation.
He stated that, acting on reliable information, the NCB Goa team confiscated 7.35 grams of cocaine from Raju S, a resident of Saligao, on February 13, 2024.
“During the initial investigation in the case, it was learnt that the accused was merely a peddler working for a bigger drug network being operated by Stanley, a Nigerian national and his wife, Usha C, both residing in Candolim.
“It was further learnt that the kingpin, Stanley, had associated some local people to whom he used to provide drugs in bulk for delivery to his various customers.
“On February 16, 2024, the NCB Goa arrested another field peddler identified as Michael, a taxi driver from Candolim,” Ghawate said.
“Following the leads, NCB raided the house of the kingpin, Stanley, but he was already arrested by the Telangana Police in the NDPS case there.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that Usha C, alongside her husband, was actively engaged in drug trafficking and managing the proceeds generated by this drug network.
“Accordingly, Usha C was placed under arrest on February 21, 2024, and proceedings for identification of illegally acquired properties by them were initiated in order to weaken the whole drug network,” he said.
He disclosed assets worth Rs 1.06 crore linked to the couple have also been frozen as part of the operation.