CRIME NEWS Two Nigerian nationals, one South African woman arrested in India’s biggest ever narcotics seizure (Photos)

CRIME NEWS

Two Nigerian nationals, one South African woman arrested in India’s biggest ever narcotics seizure (Photos)

In India’s biggest ever narcotics seizure, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has recovered 1,818kg of pseudoephedrine from a house in Greater Noida and arrested two Nigerian nationals, and one South African national.

Officers said that the house, which belongs to an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was being used as a drug-manufacturing unit. The approximate value of the seized drugs are estimated to be more than Rs1,000 crore.

Madhav Singh, zonal director, NCB, said the seizure is India’s biggest-ever narcotics haul and the world’s largest pseudoephedrine seizure in the past three years.

According to NCB officials, on Thursday morning following a tip off, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intercepted a 31-year-old woman passenger, Nomsa Lutalo, from South Africa, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport.

The woman was to board a flight to Johannesburg via Dubai.

“On checking her bags, they found 24.7kg pseudoephedrine from her bags. On questioning, the woman said she had been handed the consignment in Greater Noida by two people from Nigeria. She said she was asked to carry the same to Johannesburg and was promised good money in exchange,” Singh said.

Based on Lutalo’s interrogation, an NCB team conducted a raid at the identified premise in Sector P4 of Greater Noida the same day.

“A man, Henry Ideofor (35) and a woman, Chimando Okora (30) were living in the house. Both are from Nigeria. During searches, we found several canisters and boxes in the house, containing 1,818kg of pseudoephedrine. We also recovered 1.9kg cocaine,” Singh said.

He said that pseudoephedrine is a precursor used for manufacturing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The export of pseudoephedrine requires a no-objection certificate from the narcotics commissioner.

The UN Convention Against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, identifies 23 precursors that need to be controlled. Pseudoephedrine is one of them, the officer said.

During questioning, the Nigerian nationals told officials that they bought the chemical from various illicit sources and were storing it to manufacture drugs.

“They also used to manufacture fake heroin and transport it out of the country, illegally. They claim to have also distributed the drugs in Delhi-NCR. The precursor and manufactured drugs were mostly sent to countries in Africa, the two said,” Singh said.

Ideofor and Okora told officials they had taken the house on rent and had been living there since 2015. Investigations revealed that the house belongs to Devendra PN Pandey, an IPS officer posted with the UP Police’s Economic Offences Wing in Lucknow.

When contacted, Pandey said he had rented out the house through a property dealer and was unaware of the activities going on there.

“I had no knowledge of the drug business being run from my house. I have not even received any rent for the past year and had made complaint to the circle officer against the two Nigerian nationals. The rent agreement also clearly mentions that the residents will be responsible for any illegal activity,” he said.

Pandey said he had bought the property for Rs7.2 lakh in 2000.

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Shocking! Police arrest a gun hoarder, seize over 1,000 guns from a Los Angeles mansion in one of the biggest raids ever (Photos)

CRIME

Shocking! Police arrest a gun hoarder, seize over 1,000 guns from a Los Angeles mansion in one of the biggest raids ever (Photos)

On Wednesday, more than 1,000 guns were found in a home in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills, but authorities have said there was no indication they were used in crimes.  

"At this time, there is no indication they were, but that could change as the investigation continues," Ginger Colbrun, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said.

According to Los Angeles police Officer Jeff Lee, ATF agents and Los Angeles police officers on Wednesday executed a search warrant in an investigation of someone suspected of manufacturing and selling illegal firearms.

The property looked like "a hoarder's house" and it took 30 law enforcement officers more than 15 hours to clear the house and remove all the weapons. Police arrested Girard Saenz, 57, at the house over allegations of violating California's law regarding assault weapons and 50 Browning Machine Gun rifles, Los Angeles police Lt. Chris Ramirez said.

The law prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transportation, importation and sale of any assault rifle or .50 BMG rifles, except in specific circumstances, according to the California Legislature. Saenz posted $50,000 bail and was released on Thursday morning. 

Back In 2015, Los Angeles police seized 1,200 guns, seven tons of ammunition and $230,000 in cash from a home. The owner had died of natural causes and was found in his SUV. At that time it was considered one of the largest seizures of weapons from one home, Los Angeles police said.

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Ex-NAPIMS GGM, Dafe Ejebor, others arrested in US for sex trafficking

METRO NEWS

Ex-NAPIMS GGM, Dafe Ejebor, others arrested in US for sex trafficking

Dafe Sejebor, the former Group General Manager (GGM) of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) has been arrested in the United States alongside dozens of people in an undercover, human-trafficking sting conducted in the Katy area, Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston Police officer, Sgt. John Wall said during a press conference that 22 local, state and federal agencies partnered up for “Operation Tri Point” over the period of March 19-28 to tackle human trafficking in Katy and Fort Bend County.

Wall disclosed that 47 people were arrested in total; 27 of whom were females, 20 were males. Eight were confirmed victims and eight were charged with human-trafficking related offenses.

Wall said other charges such as sexual assault of a child, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon were also filed.

“What we know is that human trafficking is occurring. It’s not just an inner-city problem,” Wall said. “It’s occurring out in the suburbs. It’s occurring in smaller communities.”

The youngest victim was 16 years old and another victim was a runaway, according to Wall. He added most of the recruiting occurs online and through social media.

“I would say as much as 90 per cent [occurs online] and through social media,” Wall said. “Young adults spend an enormous amount of time on social media and they are vulnerable…They don’t understand the risk involved.”

Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said the sting is a step in the right direction toward eliminating trafficking in the area.

“My office is committed to eradicating this problem in Fort Bend County,” Middleton said. “We realize it’s a serious issue and we are committed to combating it and making sure that Fort Bend County is safe and that these traffickers are run out of our county.”

Wall said the victims uncovered in the investigation will be given the appropriate support and services they need.

“We understand they are scared to come forward but we are going to do everything we can in our power to give them the services they need to move forward with their life,” Wall said.

According to Wall, many of the cases were first-degree felonies that can carry sentence of 20 to 99 years in prison. He said some of the cases will be filed in federal court and can have mandatory sentencing of 20 to 40 years in prison.

Wall said the investigation is still ongoing and other possible victims could be uncovered.

“Through time hopefully we will develop more leads and identity other victims and that’s our goal in this operation. This process could take months”, he added.

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Senate to save Nigerian lady (Zainab Habibu) on Saudi’s death row for drug related crime

BREAKING NEWS

Senate to save Nigerian lady (Zainab Habibu) on Saudi’s death row for drug related crime

Senate on Tuesday set up a committee to intervene in the arrest of Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia over drug-related crimes.

In a motion sponsored by Senator Kabir Gaya representing Kano South Senatorial district, he explained that the ordeal of Zainab who is a citizen of Kano State was caused by a notorious cartel within the ranks of Aminu Kano International Airport.

“Mr. President, distinguished Colleagues, we cannot allow Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia to be executed over drug crimes which was planted in her travelling bag by criminal elements. ”

The lawmaker calls for urgent intervention, saying that, “Saudi Arabia operates capital punishment leading to death penalty.”

In his contribution, Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South Senatorial district explained that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who was recently appointed as Ambassador to the International Human Rights should see this as his first assignment.

He added that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, elder statesmen like Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Kabir Gaya should wade into the matter.

Senator Binta Marshi applauded government’s effort, adding that Hon. Abike Dabiri, Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora was doing a lot for the release of Miss Zainab.

After amendment of prayers, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki sustained suggestions from Senator Ali Ndume who suggested that a Committee be set up to wade into the matter.

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