Bengaluru. The Bengaluru zonal unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has foiled a major drugs smuggling attempt at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). On Tuesday morning, acting on specific intelligence, NCB officials detained a Brazilian citizen passenger and seized 4.776 kg of cocaine from him. The estimated street value of this cocaine has been said to be Rs 23.88 crore. According to NCB, the accused had gone to Doha (Qatar) from Sao Paulo, Brazil and boarded a Doha-Bengaluru flight from there. During a thorough search of her check-in baggage, four ladies handbags were recovered which were specially modified. These bags were equipped with false walls and hidden bottom compartments. Many clothes were kept in these cavities, in which cocaine was soaked and absorbed through a chemical process. This method is commonly used by smugglers, as it is difficult to detect the presence of drugs in clothing. NCB officials said that the accused has been immediately taken into custody and interrogation has been started. The focus of the investigation is on what level the accused was involved in the entire smuggling conspiracy, who is the source (supplier), where was the destination (final destination) and whether he is part of the international drugs network. The phone, documents and other materials of the accused are being examined so that other members of the network can be traced. In this matter, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and legal action has been initiated. The accused will be produced in the court and an application will be made for further remand.
NCB has described this successful interception as a major victory against international drug smuggling, especially when cocaine smuggling is on the rise in India. NCB has appealed to the public that if anyone has any information related to the sale, trafficking or network of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, they can immediately call the MANAS-National Narcotics Helpline (toll-free number 1933). The identity of the caller will be kept completely confidential. NCB said that with such information, not only can smugglers be nailed down, but the society can also be saved from the menace of drugs. –
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