A special court in Mumbai has rejected the bail application of Chinedu Igwe, a Nigerian national, in connection with a drug raid conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) over two years ago.
The raid took place on October 2, 2021, during which Igwe was arrested along with several others on allegations of drug-related offences.
Igwe’s bail plea was based on claims of procedural violations during the NCB’s search operation and an argument that the agency could not rely on statements provided by co-accused individuals.
However, the court, in its recent order, sided with the prosecution’s contention, stating that there was prima facie evidence of Igwe’s involvement in offences related to a commercial quantity of contraband under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The case originated from a high-profile drug raid on a cruise ship, during which the NCB booked twenty individuals initially.
Subsequently, charges against six individuals were dropped, leaving Igwe and another individual, Abdul Kadar, in custody. Kadar, like Igwe, faces charges related to the possession of commercial quantities of drugs.
Igwe’s defence had argued that he was unfairly implicated and that none of the co-accused from the cruise ship had named him in their statements. The defence also emphasized alleged procedural irregularities during the search operation.
Special public prosecutor Amit Munde, representing the NCB, opposed Igwe’s bail, asserting that there were no violations under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Munde further claimed that Igwe had willingly handed the contraband to the raiding officials.
In its ruling, the court accepted the prosecution’s argument, emphasizing that Igwe’s alleged offence warranted severe consideration.
The case has garnered attention due to its connection to a high-profile cruise ship drug bust and the subsequent legal actions taken by the NCB.
As the legal process continues, the fate of Igwe and his co-accused remains uncertain.
