Mumbai: An attempt by the Anti Narcotics Cell of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch to arrest Nigerian drug peddlers went awry on Thursday night, after the peddlers hurled stones at the policemen, injuring four. The peddlers later escaped.
According to ANC officials, the incident occured at around 9.20 p.m. near the railway tracks close to Byculla station, when a trap was laid by the Worli unit of the ANC. “We had been informed by local residents that a gang of Nigerian drug peddlers has been active in the area. The gang of 20 to 25 peddlers showed up at night, and we tried to nab them. However, they started pelting stones at us,” an ANC officer said. The peddlers managed to flee along with their bags which, according to the ANC’s informants, contained cocaine. Assistant Police Inspector Amar Marathe, who sustained head injuries, was first taken to the JJ Hospital in Byculla, and later shifted to the Bombay Hospital, while the other three policemen were discharged after being treated for their injuries.
The ANC team registered a complaint against the unidentified drug peddlers with the JJ Marg police station. Senior Police Inspector Shirish Gaikwad, J J Marg police station said, “We have been told that the gang members return to the tracks every evening to sell drugs. We are planning an operation against them. However, we need to gather additional information about their activities and hideouts, and will seek additional manpower.”