A 32-year-old Nigerian national, Jones Michael, believed to be a former footballer, has been arrested in Erode, Tamil Nadu, for possession of methamphetamine valued at ₹15 lakh (approximately ₦27.9 million).
The arrest was made last Saturday by operatives of the Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW), acting on a tip-off, near the Vijayamangalam toll gate. The operation was led by Inspector Sivahami Rani.
According to The Times of India, the suspect was found with a substantial quantity of the illicit drug, triggering immediate investigations into his background and immigration status.
Authorities discovered that Michael had overstayed his visit, with his passport expiring in 2023. There are also strong suspicions that he may have entered the country illegally via the sea, bypassing official immigration procedures.
It is likely that he illegally entered the country by sea,” Inspector Rani stated during a press briefing.
Michael has since been charged under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Foreigners Act, and is currently being held in judicial custody at Coimbatore Central Prison.
In connection with the case, police also arrested Melvin, a 49-year-old Indian national from Perundurai, for allegedly providing accommodation to the Nigerian without conducting any identity or legal status verification.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified scrutiny of foreign nationals residing in Tamil Nadu, especially amid concerns over drug-related crimes and unlawful immigration.
Authorities say further investigations are ongoing to determine the scope of Michael’s activities and any potential network involved.
