The customs department at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, also known as Mumbai International Airport, arrested a passenger who was found in possession of cocaine worth Rs 20 crore on Monday. According to news agency ANI, the drugs had been hidden inside a duffle bag of the traveller.
The man had been travelling from Ethiopia. A customs official said, that the 49-year-old man, had met a woman on social media. Soon they became friends and the woman lured him to come to Ethiopia. The man left his private job and went there to meet her.
But, on reaching there, when he tried to contact the woman, she told him that she was in Mumbai only. Some men there forced him to carry the bag which had the cocaine in it. The man had no choice but to carry the bag, said a source.
"He was sent back to Mumbai with the cocaine consignment. The accused concealed cocaine in a duffle bag. It was intercepted by the customs officials on the basis of intelligence surveillance," said the official.
The official said that during the investigation he broke down and told the officials that a woman was forcing him to do all this. He said that he was being blackmailed.
"The man has violated provisions of section 8 of the NDPS Act, and has committed an offence punishable under Section 21, Section 23 and Section 29 of NDPS Act. Accordingly, he was placed under arrest. The said the drugs, which is cocaine, has been seized along with concealing material under section 43(a) of NDPS Act," said the official.
The official said that they have informed the local police about the honey-trap matter to investigate.
(With inputs from agencies)
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