Ghanaian National Held with Cocaine Worth Rs 6.74 Crore at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai, 30th May 2025: A Ghanaian national was arrested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai after officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 674 grams of cocaine from his possession. The contraband, valued at approximately ₹6.74 crore in the international market, was smuggled into the country in the form of capsules concealed in his stomach.
The passenger had arrived in India from Liberia and was intercepted by DRI officials based on prior intelligence. During interrogation, the individual appeared nervous and distressed, prompting a medical examination. Scans revealed multiple foreign objects in his stomach. Under medical supervision, 50 capsules were extracted, each containing a white substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He remains in custody as investigations continue. Officials suspect the involvement of an international drug syndicate and believe the man was acting as a mule in exchange for money.
According to DRI sources, Mumbai continues to be a major hub for cocaine distribution in India, with the drug in high demand among elite youth. Traffickers are increasingly using air routes from South America and Africa, particularly via Addis Ababa and Dubai, to smuggle cocaine into India.
Officials revealed that citizens from economically challenged regions—previously from East Africa and now increasingly from countries like Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, and Suriname—are being exploited as carriers. DRI has intensified surveillance and is currently pursuing the accused’s accomplices.
The case highlights the evolving tactics of drug traffickers and the growing challenge for Indian enforcement agencies.
