A 32-year-old Nigerian national, identified as Jones Duro Michael, was arrested by the Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) on Saturday night near the Vijayamangalam toll gate in Erode, Tamil Nadu, for possession of methamphetamine valued at ₹15 lakh.
Michael, reportedly a footballer, was apprehended by a PEW team led by Inspector S. Sivahami Rani following a tip-off. During interrogation, it was discovered that he lacked valid travel and residency documents, raising concerns about his legal status in the country.
“His passport expired in 2023, and preliminary findings suggest he may have illegally entered India via sea. Further investigations are ongoing,” said Inspector Rani.
Michael has been remanded to judicial custody at the Coimbatore Central Prison and faces charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Foreigners Act.
In a related development, police also arrested Melvin (49), a resident of Perundurai, for renting his property to Michael without verifying his identity or documentation, a violation under housing and foreigner registration regulations.
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns regarding drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and authorities have vowed to intensify surveillance and community awareness efforts in the region.
By Kamal Yalwa
