Ivory Coast man arrested at Mumbai airport for smuggling cocaine worth Rs 15 cr

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Authorities at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport apprehended an Ivory Coast man for attempting to smuggle cocaine worth roughly Rs 15 crore hidden in capsules within his body, an official said on Thursday.

According to the ANI report, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) acted on specific intelligence and seized the Ivory Coast native at the airport on suspicion of narcotics trafficking, according to a statement from the anti-smuggling organisation.

During interrogation, the individual admitted to taking narcotic capsules with the goal of smuggling them into India, the report added.

Following court approval, the individual was admitted to JJ Hospital, a state-run facility, and expelled 77 capsules containing 1,468 grammes of cocaine between Monday and Wednesday. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant substance that causes tremendous exhilaration, the ANI report further stated.

According to the report, the confiscated drugs are expected to be valued at around Rs 15 crore.

A case has been brought against the individual under the strict Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the report added.

Meanwhile, in another incident, seven directors of a finance firm have been accused of cheating Axis Bank of Rs 22.29 crore.

A Mumbai police official on Thursday told PTI that the case case involves allegations of cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust, following a court directive. The FIR was lodged at Cuffe Parade police station based on a complaint from a 43-year-old assistant vice president of Axis Bank.

According to the FIR, the directors of Better Value Leasing and Finance Limited Company allegedly conspired between March 2016 and March 2020. They purportedly failed to repay loans taken from Axis Bank, despite having transactions with the bank since 2005, the report added.

The accused directors reportedly diverted the loan funds for purposes other than the company's business and failed to repay the interest or principal amount to the bank. The FIR also alleges the use of fraudulent invoices to deceive the bank.