Ministry of Finance
Foreign female passenger arrested for attempting to smuggle contraband under guise of diplomatic persona
प्रविष्टि तिथि: 12 NOV 2026 5:49PM by PIB Delhi
In a major crackdown on international drug syndicates, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intercepted a foreign female passenger arriving from Sierra Leone and seized 22 kg (net) of cocaine from her possession. The seized narcotics are estimated to have a value of several crores of rupees in the illicit international market. The operation exposed a sophisticated and brazen modus operandi involving the use of forged diplomatic credentials to bypass airport security.
The passenger claimed to be a diplomatic courier and was carrying a large briefcase-type box bearing markings such as “Diplomatic Mail” and “Do Not Open Without Authority”. She also produced apparently forged documents claiming that the consignment belonged to a United Nations diplomatic courier, evidently to evade scrutiny.
Acting on the intelligence input, DRI officers conducted a thorough examination of the briefcase in accordance with due procedure. The examination resulted in the recovery of 22 packets, concealed within multiple layers of plastic wrapping. The white, brick-shaped substance recovered from the packets tested positive for cocaine during field testing.
The entire contraband, comprising 22 packets of cocaine, was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 and produced before the competent court.
The DRI remains firmly committed to dismantling novel trafficking routes, leveraging intelligence-led enforcement, and dismantling international syndicates attempting to exploit institutional privileges for illicit trade.
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KT/KMN
(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2335516) आगंतुक पटल : 465
