A Nigerian identified as James, also known as Emmanuel Chukwunonso Samson, has been handed a 10-year jail term by the Special Court for Essential Commodities (EC) Act cases in Coimbatore, India. He was convicted for his role in an international drug trafficking operation uncovered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The case dates back to July 17, 2012, when officers from the NCB’s Chennai Zonal Unit, acting on intelligence, intercepted three suspicious parcels at a courier office in Chennai.
Investigations revealed that the drugs had been hidden inside ladies’ handbags, car gasket cartons, and embroidery materials. The consignments were reportedly meant for delivery to destinations such as West Africa, Australia, and Spain.
According to NCB officials, the seized parcels contained 1.195 kilograms of heroin and 200 grams of methaqualone, a sedative-hypnotic substance commonly used to treat insomnia and anxiety. The combined drugs were valued at more than ₹2 crore in the international market.
Further investigations led to James’ arrest in Erode, where officers also recovered four kilograms of cannabis from him. He was later charged in connection with the trafficking network.
After years of trial, the Coimbatore court on September 20th delivered its verdict, sentencing James to a decade of rigorous imprisonment and imposing an additional fine of ₹1 lakh.
The Bureau also issued a reminder to the public, urging citizens to share credible information on the sale, transport, or trade of narcotics by calling the national helpline ‘MANAS’ – 1933. It assured that the identity of informants would remain strictly confidential.
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