Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Bengaluru Zone Unit (DRI, BZU), unearthed an international drug racket and arrested a 24-year-old Kenyan national smuggling cocaine worth ₹30 crore at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday. Based on specific inputs, following elaborate surveillance, the officials intercepted the mule who travelled from Doha to Bengaluru on Friday in an Indigo flight and landed at the KIA.
On detailed examination of the passenger’s baggage, packets containing off-white coloured powdered substance, weighing 3 kg and valued at ₹30 crore were found to be ingeniously concealed in the false bottom of the check-in luggage. The powdered substance was tested positive for cocaine using the field testing kit. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, for further investigation. The accused, from Kenya, was only a mule and investigation is on as to who hired him and what was their source of the narcotic drug.
On July 5, officials from the DRI, BZU intercepted two Indian women passengers from Tamil Nadu coming to Bengaluru from Bangkok. On a systematic search of their bags, they were found to contain a greenish substance in lumpy form concealed. It was found to be hydroponic weed. The packets weighing 3.2 kg, valued at ₹3 crore were seized and the passengers were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
The two mules were offered ₹25,000 for the trip apart from tourist visa, accommodation, and food. The DRI officials have stepped up a probe to track down the handlers, who they suspect are targeting “fresh faces” with no previous records as mules to transport contraband consignments.
Published - July 13, 2024 11:17 am IST
