DRI Seizes Cocaine Worth Rs 24.5 Crore at Hyderabad Airport

According to the DRI, the passenger had arrived in Hyderabad from Doha, Qatar, and was carrying the contraband concealed inside chocolate tubes in his baggage.

The Hyderabad Zonal Unit of the DRI acted on specific intelligence about an Indian passenger suspected of transporting cocaine. Officers intercepted the passenger after his arrival and carried out a detailed examination of his luggage.

During the inspection, officials found seven tubes of Lindt Lindor Assorted Filled Dark Chocolate, each carrying a stated weight of 387 grams. The tubes attracted attention because they appeared considerably heavier than the weight printed on their packaging.

Further examination revealed 207 capsules hidden inside the chocolate tubes. The capsules, described as light yellow and oval-shaped, contained a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.

The substance was tested using a Narcotic Drug Detection Kit and returned a positive result for cocaine, according to the DRI.

The recovered substance had a combined gross weight of 4.9 kg and was estimated by the agency to have an illicit market value of Rs 24.5 crore.

The DRI seized the suspected narcotics and arrested the passenger under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation into the case is underway.

The latest seizure comes months after another major drug interception at Hyderabad airport.

In May, DRI officials recovered 8.705 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja, estimated to be worth nearly Rs 3.05 crore, from two Indian passengers who had travelled from Bangkok.

According to the agency, the two passengers had allegedly concealed the contraband inside food containers and water bottles. Acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted them after their arrival in Hyderabad on May 19.

The investigation into the latest cocaine seizure is continuing.