The police stumbled upon about four kilogrammes of the precursor drug ephedrine at the Kalina university campus, where they had gone in search of a couple of Nigerians allegedly involved in an email fraud on Saturday.
Two persons have been arrested for possession of the banned drug said to be worth about Rs2 lakh. The police gave their names as Peter Arize, 32, and Lucky Agbrazu, 33, both also Nigerians, who reside in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
N Gopale, assistant police inspector in the property cell of the crime branch, said following a tip-off on a phishing two officers had gone to the Kalina university campus in Santacruz (East).
"We were told about two Nigerians who were cheating people by sending fraudulent emails offering large sums of money. They allegedly urged people to make a payment or give details of their bank accounts to receive the reward," said Gopale. "We were told that the due would be in the university area."
The two officers, who reached the area at about 7pm, noticed two men moving about suspiciously and detained them. The two tried to hide their bags. But on inspection, the police officers found some white powder, Gopale said.
"After initial questioning, the officers realised that these were not the two who they were looking for in connection with the phishing scam," he said.
The substance was sent to the anti-narcotics cell for examination and after a laboratory test it was confirmed to be ephedrine.
Arize and Agbrazu have been arrested on charges of possession of drugs. They were produced before a special court and remanded to police custody till Sunday.
Vijay Belge, police inspector with the Ghatkopar anti-narcotics unit, said, "We suspect that the two men were helping to take the substance out of the country. Investigations are on to find out where the consignment was headed and the drug syndicate the two are involved with."
The police said Arize has an earlier case against him for possession of amphetamine, a potent central nervous system stimulant, and was released on bail.
BOX
Ephedrine, prescribed for bronchitis, is also a party drug
Ephedrine is used medically as a decongestant for blocked nose in the case of common cold. It is also used in the treatment of more serious ailments like bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
However, it is also used in the illegal manufacture of illegal stimulants such as 'ice' and therefore is controlled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The effect is said to be similar to that of cocaine and is consumed mixed with alcohol or other drinks. Large quantities are sent from India to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan and Indonesia.
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