Kalyan: In a significant operation targeting suspected drug smuggling activities, police conducted a major raid on upscale housing societies in the Khoni Palava area of Dombivli on Saturday. Special teams from Kalyan-Dombivli and Navi Mumbai police detained 24 Nigerian nationals during the search in the Downtown and Crown Palava residential complexes.
Kalyan Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zhende stated that the operation was launched due to rising complaints about drug trafficking in the Kalyan, Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai regions. The 24 individuals include 14 men, 6 women, and 4 children. Authorities are currently conducting thorough interrogations.
Of those detained, eight Nigerian citizens possessed valid Indian visas and passports. However, nine others had no legal documents authorizing their stay in India, confirming they were residing illegally. Further checks revealed that these nine individuals face existing cases related to drug smuggling registered at police stations in Thane, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai. Their passports have been seized in connection with these prior offences. Police are now investigating the purpose of their presence in the Palava area.
Local police had received multiple complaints over time regarding the increasing number of Nigerian nationals in the Khoni Palava vicinity. Two years ago, officers had arrested a Nigerian citizen near a lake in Nilaje village along the Shilphata road, recovering narcotic substances valued at over one crore rupees. Incidents of drug smuggling have reportedly been on the rise in the Shilphata and Palava regions. Additionally, a noticeable increase in Nigerian travelers has been observed at Dombivli, Diva, and Mumbra railway stations over the past two years.
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During Saturday’s raid, one Nigerian woman, in a sudden move, jumped from the fourth-floor balcony of her residence, causing alarm among residents and security personnel. She was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.
DCP Zhende also announced that legal action would be taken against landlords who rented their properties to these foreign nationals without providing prior information or necessary documentation to the police as required by law.
The coordinated operation involved Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade, Senior Police Inspector Sandipan Shinde of Manpada police station along with 12 officers and 31 constables from the Dombivli side. From Navi Mumbai, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dharmpal Bansode led 13 officers and 40 personnel.
This action underscores ongoing police efforts to monitor and curb illegal activities in the growing residential hubs around Dombivli and Palava. Investigations continue.