Nigerian cocaine kingpin nabbed in Delhi, India, two drug peddling gangs busted

The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Tuesday, April 12 nabbed a Nigerian cocaine kingpin on charges of possessing, purchasing, selling, storing and transporting contraband drugs in the national capital.

The crime branch team, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) M.A. Rizvi, consisting of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ranbir Singh, inspector Devender and his team, arrested Fill alias Steve from Rajendra Nagar, Delhi on a tip-off.

A total of 54 gm of cocaine, estimated to be worth Rs. 54 Lakh in the international market, was also purportedly seized from Fill.

"He was caught red handed on April 2 when he had come to deliver  consignment in his car," said Joint Commissioner of Police (CRIME) Ravindra Yadav

Yadav said drugs business, though, was apparently not in Fill's scheme of things when he landed in India in 2008. According to what he has told police, he had come here to start a business venture in readymade garments. However, Fill was cheated by a fellow countryman of all his money -- leaving him penniless, which forced him to take up the drug peddling business. After he was cheated of his money, Fill told police, he had to beg to fulfil his daily needs, and later started providing consultancy to Nigerian visitors about Delhi.

"He came to Delhi in 2008 on business visa. At that time, another Nigerian person cheated him and took all his money. Therefore, he had to beg to fulfill his needs," Mr Yadav said. "Thereafter, he came in contact with another Nigerian named KC, a supplier of cocaine in Delhi, in the beginning of 2009 and joined his gang,"

The officer said that Fill started selling cocaine to Indian customers along with KC in south Delhi pubs and bars. Few years ago, KC was caught by the police and deported to Nigeria after which Fill handled the trade on his own.

"Later in 2011 or 2012, KC was caught by police and deported to Nigeria. But Fill continued to evade the police. His illegal cocaine business was thriving. He used different mobile phone numbers for his cocaine business," the officer said.

Fill used to sell one "pudia" (one gram) of cocaine for between Rs.15,000-Rs.1 lakh, depending on the demand and time of day. The rates would go up as the evening advanced.