In a significant operation, the Anti Narcotics Cell of Pune City Police has apprehended two Nigerian nationals in the city, seizing drugs with an estimated value of Rs 11.88 lakh from their possession. The arrests were made in the Uruli Devachi area following actionable intelligence received during routine patrolling activities on a Friday evening.
According to police sources, the Anti Narcotics Cell had received vital information about a foreign national with a previous criminal record allegedly involved in drug distribution in the Uruli Devachi locality, alongside his female associate. Acting swiftly on this tip-off, the police team set up a strategic operation that culminated in the arrest of the suspects. The primary accused, identified as Philip William Idele (49), originally a resident of Lagos Street, Nigeria, but currently residing in Uruli Devachi, was taken into custody. His female companion, also a foreign national, was apprehended simultaneously, and a cache of illegal substances was confiscated from their possession.
The seized drugs included 25.8 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 5,16,000, 12 pills of Mephedrone weighing 5.5 grams, estimated at Rs 1,10,000, 1.275 kilograms of Catha Edulis drug, valued at Rs 1,02,000, and 18.09 grams of Mephedrone, with a street value of Rs 3,78,000. Additionally, an electronic weighing machine, presumably used for weighing and packaging drugs, was also discovered in their possession.
The authorities further revealed that the suspects were in possession of a passport issued by the country of Cameroon, raising concerns about their international connections in drug trafficking activities.
