The arrest of some African nationals for allegedly trafficking narcotic drug cocaine in Tamil Nadu is causing concern to the authorities here as they suspect it could be part of a larger smuggling network.
A gang comprising nationals of several African countries is suspected to be behind the supply chain of cocaine to individual addicts in Tamil Nadu and is operating from hideouts in Bengaluru, a top official said.
"A gang in Bengaluru, (which is) a network of some African guys, is behind the supply of cocaine to Tamil Nadu and it could be a bigger gang or part of a larger network as smuggling and supplying cocaine is not easy," Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Director Prem Anand Sinha told PTI.
Narcotics Control Bureau data related to those arrested in Tamil Nadu for possession of commercial quantity cocaine (over 100 grams) in the past one year alone demonstrates the involvement of African nationals in drug peddling, he said.
In February this year, Kuami Ebeniser, a Ghanaian national, was arrested for possession of 160 grams of cocaine here. Last month, a Nigerian, Izuoba Augustine Chibuike was caught with 190 grams of cocaine in the city, while a Tanzanian, Mark Hendry was arrested for possessing 123 g of cocaine.
Against this backdrop, Sinha said efforts have been stepped up to bust such drug rackets that supply cocaine in Tamil Nadu.
Stating that such seizures of commercial quantity of cocaine were crucial, he said the quantity involved underlined that such consignments were for illegal trade and not for use by them (African nationals).
However, when it comes to the arrest of those for possession of "small quantities of cocaine," Indians have been held, according to the data.
It says two men arrested in Chennai for possession of small quantities of cocaine this year were Indians. While one (Roshan Nair) had two grams, another (Sanjiv Bhatnagar) had with him 3.88 grams, apparently for their personal use.
Usually, small quantities are possessed by addicts and they are less than 100 grams. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act distinguishes between commercial and small quantities.
The cases also underline that those involved have an organised network and use several deceptive methods to evade authorities and keep addicts in their hook, Sinha said.
