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The accused, identified as a national of Cameroon, was apprehended after customs officers. (Image for representation)
The seized contraband was confirmed to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of Rs 22.09 crore.
Vigilance at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport led to the arrest of a passenger arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on charges of smuggling cocaine worth Rs 22 crore, announced customs officials in an official statement on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as a national of Cameroon, was apprehended after customs officers grew suspicious of his movements upon arrival at the airport on Friday, June 28. Upon his arrival, the officers promptly subjected him to a thorough security check. During the inspection, the officers instructed the passenger to raise his hands and then conducted a detailed search on him and his luggage.
Their suspicions were confirmed when they discovered 70 capsules containing a white powder-like substance. Further examination revealed that the capsules contained approximately 1,472.5 grams of what is believed to be cocaine. The officials acted swiftly on it, leading to the immediate apprehension of the suspect. However, the exact concealment method of these capsules was not disclosed by the authorities.
The seized contraband was confirmed to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of Rs 22.09 crore. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of customs officials at Delhi airport to curb smuggling activities, particularly involving narcotics.
This arrest comes in the wake of another recent smuggling case at the same airport, where officials intercepted a Nigerian citizen attempting to smuggle 2 kg of amphetamine. The arrested individual is now in police custody, and legal proceedings are underway as the investigation continues.