The Kerala Excise Department has declared Emmanuel Afam, a 46-year-old Nigerian, wanted in connection with the seizure of 3.3 kg of MDMA.
According to a report published on Wednesday by the United News of India, the Kerala Excise Department issued a look-out circular against Afam as part of the investigation into the narcotics recovery near the Pantheerankavu toll plaza in Kozhikode.
The report stated that nine people had been arrested in connection with the crime, and “a look-out circular has been issued against Nigerian national Emmanuel Afam, who is absconding.”
According to an earlier report from NDTV of India last Friday, the probe took detectives to many states, including Jaipur, where a search of a suspect’s flat found MDMA and other evidence.
During questioning, the suspect, only named as Hiran, provided investigators with a critical lead.
“He allegedly told them that his supplier was a Nigerian national he had met while lodged in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in another NDPS case.
“He knew the man only as ‘Frank Maxin.’
“Investigators took Hiran to the Bengaluru prison and showed him photographs of Nigerian nationals who had been lodged there during the relevant period. He identified a man.”
According to the article, the Kerala Excise revealed that a subsequent inquiry determined the genuine identity of the Nigerian suspect, Emmanuel Afam, 46.
Afam was charged with utilizing about 19 Indian and Nigerian mobile numbers while conversing via phones without SIM cards, Wi-Fi networks, and programs capable of scrambling IP addresses.
“Investigators obtained his travel records through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
“Afam has now been named as the eighth accused. A Vadakara NDPS court issued an arrest warrant against him, while a look-out circular was issued through the Bureau of Immigration.”
Afam’s case joins numerous others involving drug-related charges against Nigerians in India.
