Cocaine Smuggling Attempt Foiled at Mumbai Airport

Strategic Insights -

DRI officials intercepted an Indian woman, who attempted to smuggle 6.26 kilograms of cocaine into India at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. The woman had concealed 300 capsules of cocaine in nine boxes of biscuits and chocolates in her luggage, which were worth around Rs.62.6 crore in the illicit drug market. The DRI recovered the contraband under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and an investigation is underway to identify any potential associates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested an Indian woman attempting to smuggle 6.26 kilograms of cocaine into India at the Mumbai airport.
  • The contraband was concealed in 300 capsules, packed in nine boxes of biscuits and chocolates, which were found in her luggage.
  • The estimated value of the cocaine in the illicit market is Rs.62.6 crore.
  • The DRI officials recovered the contraband under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
  • An investigation is ongoing to identify any associates the accused woman may have had.
  • The DRI officials intercepted the woman based on intelligence that a person attempting to smuggle narcotics would arrive at the airport on a flight from Doha, Qatar.
  • A field-test kit was used to confirm the presence of cocaine in the capsules.

Statistics:

  • 6.26 kilograms of cocaine seized from the woman's luggage.
  • 300 capsules of cocaine recovered, each containing a white powdery substance.
  • Estimated value of the cocaine in the illicit market: Rs.62.6 crore.
  • Number of boxes containing biscuits and chocolates used to conceal the cocaine: 9.
  • Flight origin in Qatar, Doha, from which the woman is believed to have attempted to smuggle the cocaine.
  • Act under which the contraband was recovered: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Sources:

  • "Indian woman attempts to smuggle 6 kg cocaine into India at Mumbai airport", published by Hindustan Times.