In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, a joint operation carried out by Central Railway’s Railway Protection Force (RPF), Panvel, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bangalore and Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) Kurla, Mumbai resulted in the arrest of a foreign national with a significant quantity of narcotics onboard Train No. 12618 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express on 18.07.2025.
Based on information received by NCB Bangalore regarding narcotics smuggling on Train No. 12618 Mangala Express.
A joint team was formed comprising of Anjani Babar, IPF/RPF Panvel, Prahlad Singh, ASI/RPF Panvel, Murari Lal, & Madhusudhan Vishwakarma, Intelligence Officers, NCB Bangalore, Satish Kumar Yadav, IPF/CIB Panvel, Naveen Singh, SIPF/CIB Kurla along with Prahlad Patil, Jyoti Kushwah and Dhirendra Yadav.
Acting swiftly, the team conducted a search operation upon the train’s arrival at Platform No. 7 of Panvel Railway Station.
During the search, a Nigerian woman accompanied by an infant and carrying a multicolour travel bag was found in Coach A-2, Seat No. 27. She identified herself as Etumudon Doris, holding Nigerian Passport No. A06895991 and claimed that the child with her, named “Miracle,” was her own. Upon interrogation in the presence of witnesses, the woman confessed to carrying narcotic substances. She was brought to RPF Post Panvel, and her belongings were thoroughly searched. Inside the multicolour travel bag, officials discovered two rectangular black packages wrapped in rubber material labelled “VINTAGE.” Upon testing using a drug detection kit, the contents tested positive for Cocaine. A total quantity of 2.002 kgs of Cocaine was recovered.
Further inspection revealed a red-and-blue Mickey Mouse-themed children’s bag within the main carry bag. This smaller bag contained two paper packages—one labeled “Kellogg’s Corn Flakes” and the other “Bongchi Perfect Roll.” The packets were found to contain white crystalline substances identified as Methamphetamine weighing 1.488 kgs.
The seized narcotics, with a combined estimated market value of approximately ₹36 Crore, were taken into custody by Murari Lal, Jr. Intelligence Officer, NCB Bangalore. The Nigerian woman has been named as Accused No. 3 in case 21/2025/BZU, and further legal proceedings are underway under the supervision of the investigating officer.
This operation showcases the exemplary coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies and their unwavering commitment to eradicating drug trafficking through India’s rail network.