07 April,2025 09:19 AM IST | Palghar | Shirish Nadkarni
Pic/Hanif Patel
The Crime Branch Unit-2 of Vasai has arrested a Nigerian national with drugs worth over Rs 11 crore in Maharashtra's Palghar district. The accused, identified as Victor Odichinma Onuwala, is an actor who has played villainous roles in several South Indian and Bollywood films, including the recently released Salman Khan starrer Sikandar.
Following a tip off about suspicious activities in a flat on the third floor of Mahesh Apartment in Evershine City, Vasai East, a Crime Branch Unit II team under senior inspector Samir Ahirrao carried out a raid on April 5, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mandan Ballal told reporters.
According to officials, Onuwala has a widespread network in the film industry and is suspected of supplying drugs to individuals in the entertainment sector. The crime branch had been tracking Onuwala for the past month, but he had remained untraceable until his arrest. He was finally caught in possession of a large quantity of drugs.
According to Crime Branch officers, the accused, also known as Daik Reymond, has acted in multiple films in negative roles. His recent appearances include roles in Sikandar, The Greatest of All Time, the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly, and popular television shows such as Anupamaa and CID.
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A crime branch officer stated, "On Saturday, Constable Sachin Patil received information that the accused, Victor Onuwala, was storing a large quantity of drugs in a flat in Vasai. Based on the tip-off, Constable Patil immediately informed Senior Police Inspector Samir Ahirrao."
Under the guidance of PI Samir Ahirrao, a team was formed comprising API Sopan Patil, API Sagar Shinde, PSI Ajit Gite, and constables Ramesh Bhosale, Sanjay Navle, Mukesh Pawar, Ravindra Pawar, Chandan More, Praful Patil, Sachin Patil, Rajaram Kale, Jagdish Gowari, Dada Aadke, Sudhir Narle, Rahul Karpe, Prashantkumar Thakur, Anil Sable, Ajit Meid, Pratik Godse, Rajkumar Gaikwad, Avinash Chaudhary, and woman constable Sakshi Doifode.
A passport belonging to one Igvenuba Chukvebuka Chimaobi, another Nigerian national, was found at the site, he said, adding preliminary investigations have confirmed his involvement in the case.
The crime branch seized approximately 22.865 kg of MD drugs and 48 grams of cocaine, with a total estimated street value of around Rs 11.58 crore. Onuwala had previously been arrested by the Azad Maidan Police for allegedly selling drugs.
A crime branch officer said, "The accused Onuwala was supplying drugs in Mumbai and South Mumbai in small quantity since many years. We are also suspecting that he is also supplying drugs in film industry people."
