Panjagutta police, TSNAB nab Nigerian drug supplier, seize Rs 8 crores worth narcotics

Hyderabad: The TSNAB, along with Panjagutta Police, apprehended an international drug peddler from Nigeria and seized from him Rs 8 crores worth of various narcotics such as 557 g of cocaine, 902 ecstasy pills weighing 390 g, 105 LSD blots, 215 g charas, 21 g heroin, 7 g of amphetamine and 235 grams of ganja.

The accused has been identified as Iwuala Udoka Stanley (43) from Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria. During the investigation, it was revealed that there are more than 500 consumers who purchase drugs from Stanley of which seven are from Hyderabad.

Case details

In November 2009, Iwuala Udoka Stanley came to India on a business visa and stayed at Andheri, Mumbai. He lived with his friend Jewel and started doing readymade clothes business in Mumbai. After a year, he moved to Candolim, Goa and started the same clothes business.

As many Nigerians used to stay in Goa, the accused used to regularly meet them and became friends. He would consume liquor with his Nigerian friends some of whom used to consume cocaine. The accused observed that many of them were earning huge money by selling drugs and decided to do the same. Initially, the accused started buying cocaine and other drugs from his Nigerian friends and started selling to tourists in Candolim, Goa.

Going by the data given obtained from a previous arrest made by SR Nagar police, the TSNAB team consisting of one SI and six head constables went to Goa. After a month of collecting technical evidence and tower locations, the accused and his location were identified.

Upon knowing that the accused would be travelling to Hyderabad to sell drugs, the team apprehended Stanley and seized the contraband from his possession.

Habitual offender

In 2012 the accused was arrested in Candolim, Goa for an illegal stay as he lost his passport. He was in prison for six months. After coming out he started staying in Candolim and met Usha Chandel. In the year 2014, he married her and opened a grocery shop in Candolim. At the same time, he also came in contact with two Nigerians who were staying in Goa and doing drug business.

During Covid, Stanley had to shut his business and was facing financial problems. The two Nigerians asked him to deliver drugs to their customers and they paid him Rs 2,000 for each gram he delivered.

After Covid, both Nigerians left for Nigeria, asking Stanley to contact their customers and supply the drugs. During this time Stanley came into contact with other suppliers and used to buy drugs from them and supply them to the customers. Stanley also set up a few taxi drivers as his transporters and whenever any customer contacts him for drugs, he sends it through them.

In 2017, Stanley was arrested by NCB Goa for drug peddling and was lodged in Central Jail, Goa. After getting released from jail, he continued his drug business and started procuring drugs from various persons and selling them to customers in Goa.

There are many other drug suppliers from whom Stanley procures drugs and all of them are to be identified for further investigation. The investigation is being continued to identify the drug peddlers, transporters, financial supporters, other associates and also the consumers who are purchasing drugs from the accused.

Public advisory

In recent times we have seen several youth/students getting addicted to drugs and committing crimes. Several families have become victims of this menace. It is a request from TSNAB to the youth/students not to fall prey to drugs and request the parents to keep a watch on the activities of their children and feel free to approach police or pass information to Police on 8712671111 phone number to curtail such anti-social activities and strive for drug-free city.

Any person addicted to drugs and being blackmailed or exploited by drug suppliers can contact TSNAB for help.