Maharashtra: DRI busts massive drug smuggling attempt at Nagpur airport

DRI officials successfully intercepted an Indian national who had recently arrived from Nairobi

In a major operation carried out by the Mumbai Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), a staggering 3.07 kilograms of 'Amphetamine Type Substance' with an estimated value of over Rs 24 crore has been seized at the Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur.

The DRI officials successfully intercepted an Indian national who had recently arrived from Nairobi, Kenya via Sharjah, UAE. The suspect, whose identity has been kept confidential, was apprehended upon landing on August 20, 2023.

The concealed contraband was ingeniously hidden within a hollow metal roller, cunningly placed inside a rectangular carton box within the suspect's personal baggage. This seizure raises serious concerns, as Amphetamine falls under the category of a Psychotropic substance, classified as Schedule I under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Act of 1985, rendering its trade strictly prohibited.

The apprehended individual has been placed under DRI custody following an order from the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Nagpur. Swift action by DRI officers resulted in the arrest of a Nigerian national, believed to be the intended recipient of the illegal substance. This subsequent arrest was carried out on August 21, 2023, in the Subhash Nagar area of West Delhi.

"The unprecedented seizure of such a substantial quantity of Amphetamine Type Substance, known for its highly addictive and stimulant properties, at a relatively small airport like Nagpur has raised alarms about the evolving tactics adopted by criminal syndicates involved in illegal activities. The DRI is unwavering in its commitment to maintain unceasing vigilance to thwart these nefarious syndicates at every turn," DRI in its statement has said.