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In a well-coordinated operation, customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi intercepted a Kenyan national attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at Sh186 million. The incident unfolded after the suspect exhibited suspicious behavior upon arrival at the airport.
The individual, who landed on December 17, 2024, aboard Air India Flight AI 962 from Nairobi, initially went unnoticed. However, customs officers, trained in behavioral analysis and profiling techniques, flagged him after observing peculiarities in his movements and demeanor. “His behavior raised immediate suspicion, prompting our team to maintain close surveillance,” an official from the customs department stated.
After crossing the Green Channel, the passenger quickened his pace, seemingly eager to leave the terminal. Customs officers intercepted him before he could exit and subjected him to questioning. Under pressure, the man admitted to carrying narcotics inside his body.
The suspect was then taken to Safdarjung Hospital, where medical professionals conducted a supervised procedure to retrieve the contraband. Over the course of the operation, 77 capsules were extracted. Testing later confirmed the capsules contained cocaine, weighing a total of 822 grams.
Authorities invoked Section 43(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, to seize the illegal substances. Following further examination, the passenger was arrested on January 4, 2025, under Section 43(b) of the same law.
The case points to the growing use of body-packing—a high-risk method of drug smuggling where individuals swallow or insert drug-filled capsules to evade detection. Experts warn that this method poses significant health risks, as capsules may rupture inside the body, causing fatal overdoses.
Customs officials confirmed that further investigations are underway to uncover possible links to international drug cartels. This arrest, officials noted, was not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend in the global narcotics trade. Recent data from Indian law enforcement agencies show a surge in attempts to smuggle high-value drugs into the country, reflecting India’s growing role as both a transit point and a market for illicit substances.
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