Kalyan Police Face Dramatic Struggle to Arrest 6.5-Foot Nigerian National in Drug Bust
In a dramatic anti-narcotics operation in Dombivli, police officers faced a fierce physical struggle while attempting to apprehend a 6.5-foot-tall Nigerian national. The operation, conducted by the Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) of Kalyan, resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of drugs valued at over ₹2.16 crore.
Intense Resistance During Arrest
Acting on specific intelligence, a six-member police team led by API Anil Gaikwad launched a targeted operation on Friday to intercept the suspect, who had allegedly arrived to supply narcotics to two associates in Ambernath. However, the arrest did not come easily. According to officials, the accused violently resisted detention, pushing and shoving officers and briefly throwing the team off balance. After nearly 30 minutes of intense effort, the police managed to overpower and secure him.
The main suspect, a 36-year-old Nigerian national who identified himself as Williams Kaku, was arrested along with two Ambernath residents — Avinash Venkatesh (34) and Gajendra Naidu (34), an autorickshaw driver.
Massive Drug Haul Seized
During the operation, police seized 1 kg and 4 grams of MD drugs, estimated to be worth over ₹2 crore, along with 15 grams of cocaine valued at more than ₹15 lakh. The total value of the confiscated narcotics is reported to exceed ₹2.16 crore. The drugs were allegedly recovered from the accused’s vehicle.
Atul Zende, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 3 of Thane police, stated that the Nigerian suspect provided multiple names during questioning and is believed to have been residing in Mumbai for the past two to three years. He is also suspected to have been involved in previous drug-related cases in Mumbai. Zende further said, "Teams are now working to verify his identity and trace his local connections."
Background of the Accused
Preliminary inquiries revealed that co-accused Avinash Venkatesh has a prior criminal case registered against him, while Gajendra Naidu has no known criminal history.
Officials said the arrests are part of an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in the Kalyan division. In 2025, the Kalyan division of Thane Police registered 101 narcotics-related cases, arrested 146 individuals, and seized drugs worth over ₹6 crore. In two significant cases, the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was also invoked against organised gangs.
Ongoing Investigation
Further investigation is underway to determine:
- The source of the seized drugs
- The supply chain involved
- The extent of the accused’s alleged role in narcotics trafficking
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in the region, with police facing significant challenges in apprehending suspects involved in such high-value narcotics cases.
