African National Held at Delhi Airport for Smuggling Rs 7 Crore Worth of Cocaine

NEW DELHI: Customs officials at the Delhi airport on Wednesday confirmed that they have arrested of a man hailing from Sierra Leone in Africa for trying to smuggle in cocaine worth around Rs 7 crore.

The customs officials informed that the accused smuggler had swallowed 50 oval-shaped capsules containing the narcotic drugs weighing 930 grams, which were found in his body when examined. The accused had arrived at the airport’s Terminal 3 on a flight from Addis Ababa.

"The passenger in question was directed to the green channel for an X-ray examination of his baggage by the Customs officers on duty. Subsequently, during a medical examination, certain materials were found hidden inside his body. Upon further investigation, a total of 50 oval-shaped capsules containing 930 grams of a white powdery substance suspected to be narcotics, believed to be cocaine, were recovered," said the officials.

Preliminary tests confirmed that the powdery substance in the capsules contain cocaine comprising a commercial quantity.

Officials said that upon considering that the cocaine is of commercial quantity, it is evident that the accused has violated the provisions of Section 8 of the NDPS Act, committing offenses which are punishable under Sections 21, 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act. As such, he has been placed under arrest under Section 43(b) of the NDPS Act, according to the official.

The white powdery substance, which was suspected to be cocaine, was seized along with the material used for concealment under Section 43(a) of the NDPS Act. Further investigation is currently being conducted in the matter.

In an earlier incident on March 11, a Brazilian national was arrested by the Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) while attempting to smuggle alleged cocaine tablets worth around Rs 60 lakh by hiding it in his body.

A senior Customs official said at the time that the accused was apprehended on the basis of specific information.

The Brazilian national was said to have departed from Sao Paulo Airport in Brazil for Dubai, finally arriving at the IGI Airport in New Delhi on March 11, on a flight from Dubai.

After he was diverted at green channel by the Customs officials, an X-ray of his baggage was done. On his body undergoing medical examination, certain material was found secreted inside his body. This was revealed to be suspected cocaine and he was arrested.

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