Nigerian man escapes from police custody during drug raid in India

A Nigerian man by the name of Julius Anthony Onyekachukwu managed to escape from police custody during a drug raid conducted in Navi Mumbai, India.

This daring escape took place during a crackdown on drug-related activities by the Navi Mumbai Police on Friday, October 6, 2023, in the Sector 24 area of Ulwe, resulting in the seizure of drugs valued at 84.8 lakhs.

The police operation was aimed at curbing the sale of illicit drugs in the city and involved the arrest of the 44-year-old Nigerian. Alongside the significant drug haul, law enforcement officers also confiscated mobile phones, digital weighing equipment, and other paraphernalia commonly associated with drug distribution.

Drug Raid Incident

This marked the second substantial anti-drug operation conducted by the Navi Mumbai police in a span of just six weeks, reflecting their commitment to addressing the issue of narcotics within the city.

Acting on intelligence regarding drug peddling activities in the Ulwe node, the NRI police undertook raids across 12 different locations spanning sectors 3, 5, 18, 24, and 25 in Ulwe. These efforts led to the apprehension of the aforementioned Nigerian suspect, Julius Anthony Onyekachukwu.

During these coordinated raids, the police confiscated 706 grams of mephedrone, a drug valued at 70.6 lakhs, and 95 grams of cocaine, estimated at 14.25 lakhs. It is essential to note that Onyekachukwu made his dramatic escape during one of these operations, momentarily slipping free from a policeman’s grip and sprinting away.

Video goes viral

The incident, captured on video and subsequently shared on the social media platform X, depicted the accused Nigerian initially in police custody. However, as they approached a police vehicle, the suspect swiftly evaded the officer’s grasp and made a dash for freedom. The pursuing officers immediately gave chase, although one of them unfortunately stumbled and fell during the pursuit.

While the video showcases the dramatic escape, there is limited information available regarding whether the police were ultimately able to recapture the fleeing suspect.

Furthermore, during the course of these operations, the police identified 14 foreign nationals residing illegally in the country. All 14 individuals, seven males and seven females, hailing from Nigeria and Uganda, were issued notices to leave India under the Passport Act.

Additionally, another individual among the accused attempted to escape while being transported in a police van in sector 24 of the Ulwe node but was eventually apprehended by pursuing officers after a short distance.