A 60-year-old Nigerian man, Paul Ikenna alias Bossman, alongside two Indian nationals have been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai zonal unit in an operation targeting inter-state and international narcotics trafficking networks.

The agency in a statement on Saturday, October 14, 2023, said Ikenna’s landlord and a bank employee, were also arrested for alleged abetment and role in the conspiracy related to their non-conduct of due diligence while allowing him access to a bank account and a rented accommodation, respectively.

According to the agency, the landlord had not checked Ikenna’s passport and other paperwork before housing him and the bank employee did not verify Ikennas’ friend’s forged Aadhar card with which he opened a bank account allegedly used for laundering money, for which they have been arrested.

NCB Deputy DG Sanjay Singh said that a Khargar based Nigerian network was identified which was reported to have received a consignment of cocaine for distribution.

Accordingly enhanced sources were utilised which led to tracking of Ikenna.

On September 2, Ikenna was intercepted at his home and during a house search. A total of 1.959 kgs cocaine was seized, according to the police.

Later during questioning, Ikenna mentioned two Surat based persons who were procuring the drugs from him to further distributed.

Accordingly, two persons named Sakir and Sufiyan were arrested in follow up actions, Singh said.

Ikenna who was convicted in a drugs case in 2006 came out on bail in 2013.

“We want to request all stakeholders including those who give houses for rent, bank officials and others to follow proper procedure while dealing with foreign nationals or strict action will be taken,” Singh said.