: The Delhi zonal unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Monday arrested a South African woman at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle party drug Methaqualone out of the country.
The woman, Belinda Faurie, is suspected to be a part of an international drug syndicate involved in supplying the drug, sourced illegally from the pharmaceutical industry, abroad with the help of at least two other foreign nationals who would pick and drop her at the airport during her visits to India.
Since last October, Faurie has visited India eight times and the police suspect that she had carried drugs during several trips back home. The current haul of14.250 kg of extremely fine-quality Methaqualone is estimated to be valued at more than Rs. 2 crore in the international market.
“The drug was meticulously concealed in thick khakhi covers wrapped in carbon papers, and put between her clothes in the baggage,” said Rohit Sharma, Zonal Director, NCB.
Her accomplice, Obiefoka Friday Okeke (32), with whom she used to stay while in India, was later arrested from his rented accommodation at Sant Nagar in Burari, Mr. Sharma added.
According to him, Belinda Faurie has revealed that she was working for a Nigerian person residing in India, Jean Paul.
“Jean Paul used to deliver her the drugs at her residence. Then either he or Okeke would drop her to the airport. She was supposed to deliver the drugs to one Belis, an accomplice of Jean Paul in South Africa. Jean Paul is currently on the run,” said Mr. Sharma.
