A Brazilian woman has been arrested at Mumbai International Airport after being caught attempting to smuggle 124 capsules containing 973 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 9.73 crore, by swallowing them before her flight landed. The woman, who was intercepted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on a tip-off, admitted to ingesting the capsules to bring the drugs into India.
Details of the Arrest
The woman, who had arrived from São Paulo, Brazil, was apprehended following a specific intelligence input received by the DRI Mumbai unit. Upon being detained, she acknowledged that she had swallowed the capsules containing cocaine for smuggling purposes.
The drugs were seized after the woman was taken to JJ Hospital in Mumbai, where she expelled 124 capsules, each containing cocaine. Preliminary field tests confirmed that the substance was indeed cocaine.
Cocaine Seized and Smuggling Attempt Foiled
The total weight of the cocaine recovered was 973 grams, with an estimated market value of Rs 9.73 crore. The capsules were hidden inside her body, marking a sophisticated attempt at concealing the drugs to evade detection at the airport.
The Brazilian woman was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities have launched an investigation into the broader international drug syndicate believed to be behind this smuggling operation.
Ongoing Investigation
The DRI is continuing its investigation to identify other members of the criminal syndicate involved in the trafficking of drugs. Authorities are focusing on international connections, especially given the nature of the smuggling route and the high value of the drugs involved.
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of drug smuggling techniques, where traffickers use human carriers to transport illegal substances across international borders.
