CCB

Central Crime Branch

Ravi

Bengaluru

Kothanur

Majestic Bus Terminus

Upparapet

NDPS

Greater Noida

Nigeria

in-charge says handling them is a big problem and electric shock from taser guns can stun them into submissionThe(CCB) is planning to equip its personnel with taser stun guns to be used during narcotic raids especially on members of drug gangs who are Nigerian nationals.A proposal seeking these electrical weapons, used to stun and immobilize abrasive suspects by using electric current, would be readied and sent to the state police headquarters in the coming days.The decision, according to the officials, was taken after their anti-narcotic unit personnel were found facing a tough time handling suspects during anti-narcotics operations in the city.“We have decided to send a proposal seeking taser guns which will be used in these anti-drug operations. It will be handy for our personnel as often we find some of these suspects to be highly abrasive leading to unwarranted tension. But we will not be using it indiscriminately,” said S, additional commissioner of police (Crime),According to CCB officials, the toughest part of any narcotic operation involving foreign nationals – specifically Nigerian nationals – is that they vehemently resist arrest, refusing to co-operate with the officials during interrogation.They also claimed that these suspects refuse to share information and point blank refuse to assist the cops to take the investigation ahead. The officials also added that most of these alleged drug peddlers claim that they do not understand English and refuse to divulge any information.“We find it very difficult to pacify and bring them – both male and female suspects -- under control. Apart from physical resistance, sometimes they are also under the influence of alcohol or narcotics making it even more difficult to make a peaceful arrest,” said a senior CCB official.A taser gun is an electrical weapon which is used to stun and immobilise the target person after shooting two electrodes that are connected to the hand-held weapon unit. The electrical conductors inside the main unit send a strong (though not fatal) electric charge into the target’s body leading to temporary partial paralysis. Though it is considered as a non-lethal weapon, the target individual experiences extreme pain and intense muscular spasms before the effect wears off.“We do not have taser guns as of now, but other enforcement agencies in the country have been equipping themselves,” said sources in the CCB.The Delhi police have been the first police force in India to equip themselves with taser guns at an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh per unit; and their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa are also following suit.The sources added that a majority of the foreign nationals, indulging in drug peddling in the city, were part of drug cartels based out of Goa and Maharashtra. The officials also added that most of the foreign nationals, especially Nigerians, involved in drug peddling, dealt in smuggling and peddling high-end narcotics, including cocaine.Recently, the narcotics and woman squad of the CCB came under fire after a Nigerian national suffered a fatal fall from his two-wheeler during a drug raid nearin the wee hours of March 13.The issue snowballed into a major controversy after the African community in the city accused the police of murdering the victim.However, the police claimed it was a road mishap and later said the deceased did not have valid documents to stay in the country.In June 2016, a team of city police literally had to run for cover when things went awry while they were trying to subdue an inebriated Nigerian woman nearatThe woman, according to news reports, eventually had to be sedated and subdued before being referred to Nimhans for counselling.The Central Crime Branch has booked 17 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances () Act against foreign nationals and arrested 24 African nationals, including 19 Nigerian nationals, since January 2017.The total number of foreigners arrested by the CCB unit during the last three months stands at 32, which also includes Bangladeshi nationals.In 2016, the CCB had booked 26 cases under NDPS act and arrested nine foreign nationals.A huge controversy is brewing in Noida near the national capital after an irate mob rounded up four Nigerian nationals and assaulted them inon Monday.The mob was protesting the death of a teenager reportedly of narcotic overdose in the company of some Nigerian nationals. The issue has also snowballed into a diplomatic row as the Indian ambassador tohas been summoned by their government and have strongly sought the arrest of those involved in the racial attack on their citizens in the country. The incident has also triggered massive outrage on social media platforms across the country.It’s a non-lethal weapon; has two electrodes, which, when fired, temporarily paralyses the target. These guns cost around Rs 1 lakh per unitCCB officials say drug peddlers from Nigeria are difficult to bring to heel; last year, it took more then 10 cops, and a sedative, to subdue a woman