Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, May 29: In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, Mumbai Customs officials arrested a foreign national at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly smuggling cocaine-filled pellets concealed inside his stomach. The high-stakes drug bust, valued at a staggering Rs 8.65 crore, took place on the intervening night of May 24 and 25.

The accused, who had arrived from Uganda aboard flight UR430, came under the scanner following spot profiling conducted by vigilant customs officers. "The passenger exhibited noticeable signs of nervousness and discomfort during questioning," said an official from the Customs department.

Suspecting foul play, the officers conducted a detailed medical examination, which revealed multiple yellow-coloured pellets inside the man's stomach. These pellets were later confirmed to contain a crumbled, coloured substance—suspected to be high-grade cocaine.

Following due legal procedures, customs officials successfully extracted and seized the contraband on Wednesday. The recovered cocaine had a net weight of 866 grams, well above the 100-gram limit that qualifies as a commercial quantity under Indian law.

The foreign national was immediately arrested under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are now actively pursuing leads to trace his local handlers and determine whether he was part of a larger international smuggling syndicate.

Sources also indicated that a thorough background check is being conducted to see if the accused had smuggled drugs into the country in the past using similar tactics.

As per NDPS regulations, smuggling a commercial quantity of cocaine can attract a prison term of up to 20 years upon conviction. The incident has once again highlighted the growing audacity of drug peddlers and the critical role of vigilant customs surveillance at international entry points.