The Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) in Navi Mumbai have arrested a Nigerian national, for possession of ivory and a sword cane, earlier this week. Uzodima Hope (40), who resided at Bonkhode village in Koparkhairane, was traced with the help of King Chukwudi Fidelis (30).
Mr. Fidelis, another Nigerian, was arrested at Sector 13 in Koparkhairane last week for the possession of 64 gm of amphetamine powder worth ₹3.2 lakh.
Investigations revealed that he had got the drug from Mr. Hope, and hence the police set out to nab him. “While searching Mr. Hope’s house, we found a 12 inch-long elephant tusk worth ₹1.65 lakh and a sword cane. Upon interrogation, he confessed that he had smuggled them from Nigeria,” senior police inspector Ravindra Budhwant, ANC, said.
He said the duo had entered the country on tourist visas, which looked fake to the police, and they would be verifying them. The accused claimed to have a clothing business in the country but police suspect the claim is an attempt to cover up the smuggling. Mr. Hope has not yet revealed where he got the drugs from.
