In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, authorities from the Mumbai zone of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have made a major breakthrough. A foreign national has been apprehended for allegedly smuggling a substantial quantity of cocaine into India. The confiscated contraband, weighing 1.108 kilograms and valued at a staggering Rs 11 crore, was ingeniously concealed within the suspect's body.
Intelligence-Led Operation
The operation was a result of actionable intelligence received by DRI operatives regarding the suspect's illicit activities. Acting swiftly upon this information, DRI officials successfully intercepted the individual upon their arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The suspect, a citizen of Sierra Leone, was promptly taken into custody for further investigation.
Confession and Medical Procedures
Following a rigorous interrogation process, the suspect confessed to ingesting capsules containing the illicit substance for the purpose of smuggling. Subsequent medical procedures, conducted at Sir JJ Hospital under the due authorization of the court, led to the expulsion of 74 capsules, each containing cocaine. The suspect was discharged from the hospital after necessary medical procedures and is now in police custody.
Ongoing Investigations into Drug Factory Case
Meanwhile, the Mumbai crime branch has been actively pursuing investigations into the Sangli drug factory case. The primary suspect, identified as Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde, has been under scrutiny. It has been revealed that Shinde utilized proceeds from narcotics sales to acquire a substantial piece of land spanning 12 acres in December 2023, valued at Rs 1 crore. This property, registered under the name of his associate Vasudev Laxman Jadhav, is now subject to seizure by law enforcement authorities.
Further Developments
Bolstered by fresh intelligence, a specialized police team from Unit 7 of the crime branch has recommenced investigations in Sangli, targeting another suspected mephedrone (MDMA) lab allegedly operated by Shinde's associate. Additionally, a raid conducted on March 30 at the residence of Shinde's associate in Bhiwandi yielded a significant seizure of Rs 3.46 crore in cash. Shinde subsequently confessed to utilizing this location for storing earnings from contraband sales. It's noteworthy that Shinde's associate has not been implicated in the crime at this juncture.
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