A 37-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested in India after being caught with hard drugs and a fake passport, according to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police. The seized drugs have a street value of over Rs 11.58 crore (approximately ₦1.2 billion).
The suspect, identified as Victor Odichinma Omuwala, who also goes by the alias Daik Raymond, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a police raid on his apartment in the Ever-Shine City area of Vasai, a suburb near Mumbai.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Police Inspector Sameer Ahirrao and coordinated by Crime Branch personnel Sachin Patil, stormed a flat on the third floor of Mahesh Apartment at around 12:15 am. During the search, the police found 48 grams of cocaine in Victor’s possession.
Authorities also discovered a fake passport prepared in the name “Daik Raymond,” which Victor was allegedly using to conceal his identity.
The investigation took a new turn when police recovered a key to another flat located on the fourth floor of the same building. Upon searching the second flat, they found an additional 22.865 grams of mephedrone (commonly known as MD) and a Nigerian passport belonging to Igwenuba Chimaobi, a native of Lagos, Nigeria.
The discovery of Chimaobi’s passport in the second flat, alongside chemicals believed to be used in drug production or alteration, has led police to identify him as Victor’s accomplice. However, Chimaobi is currently on the run and has been declared a wanted suspect.
Further checks by Indian police revealed that Victor had previously been involved in a similar drug-related case within the jurisdiction of the Azad Maidan Police Station in Mumbai. This prior offence has added weight to the charges against him, as police suspect that he may be part of a larger drug trafficking network operating in India.
The Indian authorities also suspect that Victor had been living in the country illegally using the fake identity of “Daik Raymond.” His Nigerian passport, although not found at the time of arrest, has now been linked to his real name, Victor Odichinma Omuwala, thanks to cross-referencing and international collaboration.
The Valiv Police, now handling the case, are working alongside the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) to dig deeper into the source of the drugs and track down potential buyers. Authorities are also verifying the immigration status of both suspects to determine whether they had valid visas or residency permits to remain in India.
According to police reports, the seized cocaine and MD were of high purity and intended for distribution within Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs. Investigators believe that Victor and his accomplice may have connections to an international drug syndicate using Indian territory as a hub for distribution.
A senior police officer said,
“We are trying to trace the source of the drugs and whether they were manufactured locally or smuggled into India. We are also investigating the network to find other foreign nationals who may be involved.”
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, under which Victor has been charged, is one of India’s toughest drug laws. It carries severe penalties, including a possible 10 to 20 years in prison, especially when commercial quantities are involved.
The MBVV police confirmed that Victor is currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest his associate, Igwenuba Chimaobi.
Indian authorities have reportedly notified the Nigerian Embassy in New Delhi about the arrest. It is expected that consular services will be involved in verifying the identities and immigration records of both suspects.
Back in Nigeria, the incident has raised concerns about the growing involvement of some Nigerians in international drug trafficking. This latest arrest adds to a string of drug-related arrests of Nigerian nationals across Asia and the Middle East.
Nigerian communities in India have expressed concern over the rising number of Nigerians getting involved in criminal activities. A community leader in Mumbai, who spoke anonymously, said:
“It is very unfortunate. The actions of a few individuals are giving all Nigerians in India a bad name. Most of us are here legally and trying to earn a living.”
He urged the Nigerian government to step up awareness and monitoring of its citizens abroad, while also appealing to Indian authorities not to use isolated cases to stigmatize law-abiding Nigerians.
In Nigeria, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has repeatedly called for greater international cooperation to tackle drug trafficking involving Nigerian citizens overseas. The agency believes that coordinated efforts with countries like India can help in tracking and dismantling transnational drug networks.
NDLEA spokespersons have also urged Nigerians to stay away from criminal activities that tarnish the country’s image abroad and warned of serious consequences for anyone found guilty of drug-related crimes, whether in Nigeria or in foreign countries.
