In a major blow to international drug trafficking networks, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 4.7 kg of cocaine, valued at approximately ₹47 crore in the illicit market, from a female passenger arriving from Colombo at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the passenger shortly after her arrival and subjected her baggage to detailed examination. The scrutiny led to the discovery of nine pouches of a white powdery substance cleverly concealed inside coffee packets. Preliminary testing with the NDPS field kit confirmed the substance to be cocaine.

In a swift and coordinated follow-up operation, the DRI apprehended four additional persons of the syndicate — one who had come to the airport to receive the consignment and three others linked to the financing, logistics, and distribution network of the smuggled narcotics. All five accused have been arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985).

Some of the recent seizures by DRI indicate a concerning trend wherein international drug syndicates are increasingly exploiting Indian women as couriers, while concealing narcotics within food items and everyday edibles to camouflage the contraband and evade detection.

Further investigation is underway to uncover the wider transnational syndicate orchestrating the smuggling attempt. The DRI remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle such networks and is committed to the vision of “Nasha Mukt Bharat”, by relentlessly disrupting narcotics supply chains and safeguarding India’s youth, economy, and national security.

Narcotics interdiction: cocaine concealed in food items intercepted at airport, leading to arrests under NDPS Act. Intelligence-led officers intercepted an arriving passenger and discovered cocaine concealed in coffee packets; field testing indicated the substance was cocaine. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested the passenger and four additional persons involved in receipt, financing, logistics and distribution, and processed all five under the NDPS Act, while investigations continue to identify the wider transnational syndicate and disrupt narcotics supply chains.