In a continued effort to combat narcotic drug trafficking, officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have uncovered an international syndicate and seized 1.59 kg (gross wt.) of cocaine valued at approximately Rs 15 crore in New Delhi on Friday.
The syndicate, specializing in smuggling Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) into India from Africa via the Indo-Nepal border, was brought to light through targeted intelligence operations.
Acting on specific information, authorities intercepted an Indian national upon their arrival from Raxaul, Bihar, at Anand Vihar Railway Station in Delhi on the morning of 22.03.2024.
A subsequent search led to the discovery of 92 pale yellow capsules containing a white powdery substance. Field tests confirmed the presence of cocaine in the recovered substance.
Further investigation uncovered that the consignment was destined for a recipient in Dwarka, New Delhi. Swift action led to the interception of a Nigerian national, who arrived on a Scooty to take delivery of the NDPS in Dwarka.
The syndicate's modus operandi involved smuggling contraband from African countries either directly or via Dubai to Kathmandu, Nepal, using air routes. The drugs were concealed in trolley bags or ingested in capsules.
Indian nationals were then employed to collect the contraband from pre-determined locations in Kathmandu, often hotels, and smuggle it across the Indo-Nepal border. The contraband would then be transported to New Delhi by road or train.
The seized cocaine, concealed in 92 capsules with a total weight of 1.59 kg (gross wt.), valued at approximately Rs 15 crore, was confiscated. Both the carrier and the recipient were apprehended in accordance with the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
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