Taloja: The city police Anti-Narcotics Cell has arrested a 41-year-old Nigerian national and seized drugs worth Rs 3.57 crore from Taloja. The seizure included over 2.5 kg of mephedrone and 566 grams of cocaine.

The accused, identified as Annie Ikechukwu Darlington, was reportedly jailed for seven years in an NDPS case registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai in 2019. After securing bail in 2025, he allegedly resumed drug trafficking.

Acting on a tip-off received by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigde, a police team intercepted Darlington near Gazibo Hotel on Panvel-Mumbra Road on October 8. A search led to the recovery of 221 grams of mephedrone worth Rs 6.63 lakh.

A subsequent search of his residence in Ambika Building, Rohinjan village, uncovered another 2.276 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 68.28 lakh and 566 grams of cocaine valued at Rs 2.83 crore. Police also seized materials allegedly linked to the procurement and sale of narcotics.

Investigators said Darlington had allegedly been living in the flat since December last year without a rental agreement. Police are considering action against the landlord for failing to complete the required formalities for renting the premises to a foreign national.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Vishal Hire said investigators were tracing financial transactions and identifying others potentially connected to the alleged network.

Over the past five years, Navi Mumbai Police have registered 2,387 narcotics cases, arrested 3,200 accused and seized around 1,078 kg of drugs valued at approximately Rs 150 crore. The latest case remains under investigation to establish the source and intended recipients of the seized substances.

• Arrested: 41-year-old Nigerian national
• Mephedrone seized: 2.497 kg
• Cocaine seized: 566 grams
• Total value: Rs 3.57 crore
• Operation: October 8, near Gazibo Hotel, Taloja
• Previous case: Jailed for seven years in an NCB case registered in 2019
• Police action: Financial transactions and suspected drug network under investigation
• Five-year record: 2,387 narcotics cases, 3,200 arrests and drugs worth around ₹150 crore seized in Navi Mumbai