Acting on specific intelligence, officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Bengaluru Zonal Unit intercepted an Indian male passenger, who arrived from Doha at Bengaluru International Airport in the early hours of 18.07.2025.

On careful examination of his baggage, it was observed that the pax was carrying two superhero comics/ magazines which were unusually heavy. The officers carefully recovered white powder concealed in coverside of magazines.

The powder tested positive for cocaine. The recovered cocaine weighing 4,006 grams (over 4 kg) and having an international market value of around Rs. 40 crore was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act.

The passenger was subsequently arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 and was remanded to judicial custody on 18.07.2025.

Cocaine seizure at airport leads to arrest and prosecution under NDPS Act after concealed contraband discovered in luggage. Intelligence led interception at an international arrival led officers to recover white powder concealed in magazine covers; field testing identified the substance as cocaine and the contraband was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, after which the passenger was arrested and placed in judicial custody.