In a significant development, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized a substantial quantity of cocaine from a Brazilian national at Mumbai Airport, underscoring its relentless efforts to combat drug trafficking.
The seizure, totaling 975 grams of cocaine valued at approximately Rs 9.75 crore in the illicit market, was made on May 8, 2024. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the Brazilian national at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, suspecting his involvement in drug smuggling.
The officials said, “Based on specific intelligence, officers of DRI MZU intercepted one Brazilian national on suspicion of carrying drugs, at the CSMI Airport, Mumbai on May 8, 2024."
Arrested smuggler purged 110 capsules containing cocaine
After the accused was nabbed, he was taken into questioning where the passenger confessed to ingesting capsules containing drugs within his body for smuggling into India. Subsequently, he was produced before the Magistrate, and in accordance with the court order, admitted to Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai, where he purged a total of 110 capsules containing the seized cocaine.
The substance, identified as cocaine, was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, on May 10, 2024. The passenger has been arrested, and further investigation is underway to apprehend other members of the international syndicate involved in the illegal smuggling of drugs into India.
Earlier on Monday (May 6), another foreign national was nabbed with cocaine at Mumbai Airport. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had seized 1.46kg of cocaine, worth approximately ₹15 crore in the illegal drugs market from a national of Côte d’Ivoire (a West African country).
(With ANI Inputs)
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