Rs 47-crore cocaine seized at Mumbai airport, five held

In a major crackdown on international drug smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 4.7 kg of cocaine, worth about Rs 47 crore, from a woman passenger who arrived from Colombo at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Acting on a tip-off, DRI officers intercepted the passenger soon after her arrival and examined her baggage. During the search, officials found nine pouches of a white powdery substance hidden inside coffee packets. A field test confirmed the substance to be cocaine.

In a coordinated follow-up operation, the DRI arrested four more individuals connected to the smuggling network. One of them had come to collect the consignment, while three were involved in financing, logistics and distribution of the narcotic substance. All five accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

A senior official said that recent cases have revealed a worrying pattern of drug cartels using Indian women as couriers and concealing narcotics in food items to avoid detection.

The DRI said further investigation was underway to trace the larger transnational network behind the operation. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and supporting the national goal of a “Nasha-Mukt Bharat”.