Ugandan woman arrested for smuggling cocaine worth Rs 14cr

New Delhi, December 29

A Ugandan woman was arrested by Customs officers at the international airport here on Wednesday for allegedly smuggling cocaine worth Rs 14 crore into the country.

The passenger, who is suspected to be suffering from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), had ingested 91 specially designed pellets containing cocaine, sources said.

After noticing her unusual body movements upon arrival on Saturday, the Customs officers, out of “sheer facilitation and goodwill”, approached the passenger for providing any possible help to her.

“However, the passenger not only refused to accept any help but also showed disinclination to engage in any conversation, while at the same time continuing to exhibit uneasy body movements,” a statement issued by the Customs department said.

Seeing the unusual behaviour of the passenger, the officers kept watch on her, it added.

The passenger crossed the green channel and was headed towards the exit gate of the international arrival hall, when the Customs officers intercepted her.

“Upon questioning, the passenger finally divulged that she had swallowed 91 capsules of the narcotic substance,” it said.

Since it was an impending emergency, the passenger was admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here.

“X-ray scanning revealed that the colon of the passenger was filled with oval pellets,” the department said.

The hospital authorities handed over the passenger, who is in her mid-30s, to Customs officials, who put her under arrest. — PTI