A major police crackdown on a suspected international drug trafficking network was carried out in Dombivli’s Palava City and Khoni village area early on Saturday. The operation, named Operation Garud 3, was conducted by Navi Mumbai Police with assistance from Thane Police. During the coordinated action, raids were carried out at 16 different locations and 25 African nationals were detained.
The operation was planned after a previous drug-related case had been investigated by Navi Mumbai Police. On May 19, a combing operation had been conducted by the Crime Branch at Juhugaon in Vashi. During that action, three Nigerian nationals had been arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell and 252.5 grams of high-grade cocaine worth around Rs 1.26 crore had been seized. Following that seizure, further investigation was carried out into the suspected international narcotics network. Confidential information was then received by police that the main accused in the case was hiding in the Palava City and Khoni village area. Based on this input, the operation was planned jointly by Navi Mumbai and Thane Police while complete secrecy was maintained.
A large police force was deployed for the operation. The team included 25 police officers and nearly 100 personnel. The heavy police presence reportedly caused panic and curiosity among local residents, as simultaneous searches were carried out across multiple locations. Among those detained were 14 men, seven women and four children. The Anti-Narcotics Cell also took custody of the prime accused, identified as 34-year-old Paul Chigbata Onuoch. He is alleged to be a key accused in the Juhugaon cocaine seizure case.
Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade said that the main accused in the Juhugaon cocaine seizure case had been detained during the operation. He also said that the remaining foreign nationals were being questioned and their documents were being verified.
It was further stated that deportation proceedings had been initiated against those found to be staying illegally in India. Police officials believe that the operation has created fear among members of the suspected drug trafficking network. Further arrests may be made as the investigation into the international narcotics racket continues.