![Customs seize Rs 22 crore worth cocaine at Delhi airport from a Cameroonian national Customs seize Rs 22 crore worth cocaine at Delhi airport from a Cameroonian national](https://varindia.com/public/storage/news/2024/07/yIwdq5cvLebfD7Dp8NUpysvYrV0dWLgzm8Zc8uzb.webp)
Custom officials have arrested a Cameroonian national for allegedly smuggling into the country cocaine worth Rs 22 crore at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).
On Friday, the accused was intercepted after his arrival from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
“During the personal and baggage search of the passenger, 70 capsules containing a white powdery substance were recovered. The said capsules yielded 1,472.5 grams of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine,” said the statement issued by the customs department.
A diagnostic test confirmed the substance to contain cocaine, it said, adding that the value of said substance is Rs 22.09 crore.
The Cameroon man named Ajoku Respect Nwala, born on December 12, 1972, was immediately taken into custody and charged under Section 43(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. This section relates to the possession, purchase, and transportation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Joint Commissioner of Customs at IGI Airport, Varun N Koundinya, commended the customs officers for their swift action and thorough investigation. “Based on the intelligence, the preventive measures undertaken by our officers have successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle a significant quantity of cocaine into the country. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway,” he stated.
The investigation is focused on uncovering the broader network behind this smuggling attempt. Authorities are looking into potential connections and accomplices both within India and internationally. The arrest of Nwala marks a significant step in the fight against international drug trafficking, reinforcing the vigilance and dedication of customs officials in protecting the nation’s borders from illegal activities.
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