Chandigarh, July 26: the Crime Branch has busted an international narcotics network operating in the tricity region, arresting three foreign nationals — including two Nigerians and a South African — along with two local drug suppliers in separate cases. Officials seized over 50 grams of heroin, 67 grams of amphetamines, 70 grams of cocaine, and luxury vehicles including a BMW and a Honda Accord.
The first arrests were made on July 22, when a Nigerian national, Imoru Damian, was apprehended near the Sector 43 checkpost in Chandigarh while carrying 62.60 grams of amphetamine. His interrogation led police to Okoye Nnamdi, another Nigerian arrested in New Delhi, who was found with 35.80 grams of cocaine and 5.73 grams of amphetamines. A third accused, Toufe Yosuof from Cape Town, South Africa, was held in Kharar with 34.85 grams of cocaine.
All three were found to be overstaying their visas. While the Nigerian nationals had entered India in 2021 on medical visas, Yosuof arrived in 2023 on a business visa. Police said they were operating under instructions from international handlers using encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, targeting youth across the tricity. The network was also found to be using foreign student circles in Punjab as cover.
In a separate case, two local accused — Shiva Thakur (31), a repeat offender, and Jaisal Bains (29), a BA (Hons) English graduate — were arrested with 50.88 grams of heroin in a BMW near the Sector 45 checkpost. When they refused to open the vehicle, police broke the window and recovered the narcotics.
Shiva has prior convictions under the NDPS Act and has served sentences of 10 and 15 years. Jaisal, who police say has been friends with Shiva since school, was allegedly laundering drug money and aiding in distribution through her personal networks.
Police said investigations are ongoing to trace the full extent of both supply chains and uncover financial links.
