16 foreign nationals arrested, drugs worth Rs 12 crore seized

In a major breakthrough, the Navi Mumbai Police conducted Operation Garud on Thursday night, dismantling a drug smuggling network involving foreign nationals. In coordinated raids across 25 locations, police arrested 16 Nigerian nationals, recovering drugs worth Rs 12 crore.

Among those arrested, 13 were found with narcotics, including 2.45 kg of cocaine and 663 grams of MD powder. Additionally, three individuals were apprehended for residing illegally using forged passports and visas. This marks the third significant anti-drug operation undertaken by Navi Mumbai Police this year.

The operation is part of the Drug-Free Navi Mumbai campaign, initiated under the guidance of Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe. Senior officers, including Joint Commissioner Sanjay Yenpure, Additional Commissioner Deepak Sakore, and Deputy Commissioner Amit Kale, oversaw the operation.

Under Assistant Commissioner Bhausaheb Dhole and Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigde, a team comprising officers from the Anti-Narcotics Cell and local police stations carried out simultaneous raids in Kharghar, Taloja, Koparkhairane, Ulwe, and Vashi.

Confidential surveillance of foreign nationals residing in Navi Mumbai was conducted over several weeks, leading to Thursday’s crackdown. A total of 150 officers participated, ensuring secrecy until the operation commenced. Notices to leave the country were also issued to 73 foreign nationals whose visas and passports had expired.

Details of Seized Drugs
The seized drugs, valued at approximately Rs 11.86 crore, included:

• 2.45 kg cocaine (worth Rs 10.22 crore)
• 663 grams MD powder (Rs 1.48 crore)
• 58 grams methylene (Rs 11.6 lakh)
• 23 grams hashish (Rs 3.45 lakh)
• 31 grams ganja (Rs 6,000)

Commissioner Milind Bharambe reaffirmed the department’s commitment to tackling drug-related crimes, emphasizing zero tolerance for smuggling and illegal residency.