11 May,2024 05:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
The drugs recovered from Brazilian national/ Sourced Photo
Officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) intercepted a Brazilian national on May 8, 2024, based on specific intelligence regarding drug smuggling. The suspect aroused suspicion and upon questioning, confessed to ingesting capsules containing drugs, intending to smuggle them into India.
After being taken into custody, the person was brought before a magistrate, who granted them admission to Mumbai's Sir JJ Hospital. The Brazilian national purged 110 capsules totalling 975 grams of cocaine during their hospital stay; these capsules are estimated to be worth Rs. 9.75 crores on the black market. On May 10, 2024, the seized material - which turned out to be cocaine - was taken away in compliance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.
"On questioning the passenger admitted to having ingested capsules containing drugs and carrying the same in his body for smuggling into India. The passenger was produced before the Magistrate and as per the court order, he was admitted to Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai," an official said.
The official further said, "He purged a total of 110 capsules containing 975 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs. 9.75 Crores in the illicit market during his stay in the hospital. The substance purported to be cocaine was seized on 10.05.2024, under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The passenger has been arrested and further investigation is underway to trace other members of this international syndicate involved in illegal smuggling of drugs into India."
The arrested individual is currently in custody, and further investigations are underway to find and apprehend more members of this worldwide drug smuggling syndicate. This is the DRI's second such action in a week.
