New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has seized 2.25 kg of cocaine worth approximately Rs 11.25 crore in the illegal market in two separate operations conducted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai. Four foreign nationals involved in drug smuggling through body concealment have been arrested in connection with the cases.

According to officials, on May 22, acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officers intercepted one female and one male passenger who had arrived from Addis Ababa at Mumbai’s CSMI Airport. During sustained interrogation, both passengers admitted to having ingested capsules containing narcotic substances for smuggling purposes.

The passengers were subsequently admitted to a nearby government hospital, where officials recovered a total of 84 capsules containing 1.40 kg of cocaine. The seized cocaine is estimated to be worth nearly Rs 7 crore in the illicit market.

In another operation conducted earlier on May 19, DRI officers intercepted one African male passenger and one African female passenger upon their arrival from Addis Ababa at the Mumbai airport.

During questioning, both passengers confessed to swallowing capsules containing narcotic drugs. They were also admitted to a nearby government hospital, where authorities recovered a total of 63 capsules containing 850 grams of cocaine, valued at around Rs 4.25 crore in the illegal market.

Officials said the seized contraband has been confiscated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

All four accused passengers have been arrested, and further investigation into the drug smuggling network is currently underway.

Earlier on May 22, in two major operations in the northeastern states of Assam and Mizoram, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a large quantity — around 60,000 kg — of smuggled foreign-origin areca nuts (betel nuts), the central agency said.

An official statement said that, acting on specific intelligence, DRI Guwahati Zonal Unit conducted operations in Mizoram and Assam earlier this week, leading to the seizures of the Myanmarese areca nuts.

Initial investigations revealed that foreign-origin dried areca nuts were smuggled into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar-Mizoram border.

In one of the operations, DRI was assisted by the 38 Battalion of Assam Rifles, the statement said. So far, five people have been arrested in these operations.

–IANS

jk/uk