The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) announced on Saturday that it seized cocaine being smuggled inside magazines and comic books at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
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Officials of the DRI’s Bengaluru zonal unit intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Doha, Qatar, early in the morning on Friday. Officers who inspected his baggage discovered two superhero comics that felt unusually heavy.
Upon examination, they found white powder hidden within the magazines’ covers, which tested positive for cocaine. The operation yielded 4,006 g of cocaine with an estimated international market value of Rs 40 crore.
Upon examination, they found white powder hidden within the magazines’ and comic books’ covers, which tested positive for cocaine. The operation yielded 4,006 g of cocaine with an estimated international market value of Rs 40 crore.
DRI officials immediately arrested the passenger, originally from Delhi, under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. Official sources said the contraband cocaine was intended for distribution in Bengaluru city.
The DRI produced the arrested accused before a special court, which remanded the flyer in judicial custody the same day.
Since April this year, DRI operations in Bengaluru have resulted in the seizure of 30-40 kg of methamphetamine (MDMA). In March, a Ghanaian woman was held at Kempegowda International Airport with over 3 kg of cocaine.
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In the same month, the Mangaluru police seized 37.87 kg of MDMA valued at approximately Rs 75 crore and arrested two flyers from African countries at Mangaluru airport.