The Customs Department has arrested a Brazilian national from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine worth Rs 3 crore, which he had swallowed in form of 64 capsules.
According to officials, the passenger was intercepted after his arrival from Sao Paulo via Addis Ababa on 27 August. “The man had swallowed 64 capsules containing 620 grams of white coloured powder which preliminary narcotics testing has revealed to be cocaine worth around Rs 3.1 crore,” said a Customs official.
“The passenger has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act, 1985 and the cocaine has seized. Further investigation is going on,” said a Custom official.
It was the second significant narcotics seizure (in the form of capsules swallowed by passengers) effected by customs officials at IGIA.
On August 24 information two men, one Kenyan national and other Bolivian national were intercepted by the Custom Department at the airport who had arrived from Addis Ababa, Ethopia. The duo were taken to Ram Manohar lohia hospital where after following the proper procedure a total of 146 capsules swallowed by the passengers were recovered. The content of these capsules tested positive for cocaine weighing around one kg worth Rs 10 crore.