DRI seizes cocaine worth Rs 24.5 cr from passenger at Hyderabad airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 4.9 kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth Rs 24.5 crore in the illicit market, from an Indian passenger at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Hyderabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 4.9 kg of cocaine, valued at about Rs. 24.5 crore in the illicit market, from an Indian passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA).

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit (HZU) officers intercepted the passenger who arrived from Doha, at the airport and examined the cabin baggage.

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During the examination, officers found seven tubes of Lindt Lindor assorted dark chocolates, each bearing a marked weight of 387 grams. As the tubes appeared unusually heavy, the officers opened and examined them.

“The search led to the recovery of 207 light-yellow, oval-shaped capsules concealed along with the chocolates inside the seven tubes. Each capsule contained a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The substance tested positive for cocaine using a narcotic drug detection kit,” officials said.

The total gross weight of the seized cocaine was 4.9 kg, with an estimated illicit market value of Rs 24.5 crore.

The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation is under way.