A Nigerian national has been arrested in India after police allegedly recovered 73 grammes of cocaine valued at Rs38 lakh, equivalent to about N27 million, during a raid in Nalasopara, Maharashtra. The arrest was made on Saturday night during a police operation targeting suspected drug-related activities in the Pragati Nagar area. 

According to Indian police, 10 teams were deployed for the operation under the supervision of Ashok Virkar, deputy commissioner of police for Zone II. During searches of several locations suspected to be linked to drug dealers, officers allegedly found the cocaine in the possession of the Nigerian national, who was living in the Basera building in Pragati Nagar.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and booked under relevant provisions of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine how the cocaine came into his possession and whether he has links to other members of a suspected drug trafficking network.

The latest arrest comes amid increased police scrutiny of drug-related activities involving Nigerian nationals in Nalasopara. Authorities have recorded several similar cases in the area, including the arrest of another Nigerian national in June with 203 grammes of cocaine. Police said the latest investigation will focus on identifying the source of the seized cocaine and any possible associates.