DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit seizes 500 grams of cocaine from wooden show pieces at Mumbai Airport
Based on specific Intelligence, the officers of DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit had seized 500 grams of cocaine on June 28, 2023 from wooden show pieces which had arrived at Courier Terminal, Mumbai from Costa Rica.
The said consignment had been imported by declaring a vague address and mobile number. The consignment was examined and it was found that cocaine was packed in small pouches and further it was ingeniously concealed in the base of wooden articles to avoid detection by customs.
Total 56 small pouches were recovered, which resulted in seizure of 500 grams of cocaine. The same was seized under the provisions of NDPS Act,1985. Illicit market value of the seized NDPS substance is approximately Rs. 5 Cr.
Further, Controlled Delivery (CD) of a substituted consignment was planned to identify and intercept the consignee/recipient. A call was made on the mobile number mentioned under the consignee name, whereby a girl picked up the call and denied any knowledge of such parcel. Further, another call was made on mobile no. mentioned on KYC document (Aadhar) and the consignee picked up the call and accepted the ownership of the parcel and he further enquired about customs duty to be paid. Accordingly, a trap was laid and the consignee was nabbed during the meticulously planned controlled delivery operation.
On questioning the consingee informed about the second link in the supply chain. Accordingly, one lady was intercepted who was supposed to handle the further supply of the said parcel. Incriminating evidence has been found on the phones of both the accused. Both have been arrested and remanded to DRI custody.
Further investigation is in progress to unearth the entire supply chain.
