Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In one of the biggest cocaine seizures in India, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a transnational drug trafficking syndicate and seized 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine valued at around Rs 1,745 crore, officials said on Friday. The contraband was concealed inside cricket pads and gloves and recovered during coordinated raids across the Mumbai region.
The operation, codenamed White Strike, was carried out after over six months of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance. Acting on specific inputs, NCB teams launched simultaneous strikes in the Kalamboli–Bhiwandi logistics corridor spanning Navi Mumbai and Thane, uncovering a well-organised supply network using warehouse infrastructure and concealed transport systems.
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The first breakthrough came when officials intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry vehicle near the KWC Warehousing Complex in Kalamboli. A search led to the recovery of 136 one-kilogram packets of cocaine hidden inside cartons packed with cricket gear. One accused was arrested at the spot.
“Search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 136 packets of cocaine, each weighing approximately 1 kg. The packets were found in cartons wherein cocaine was concealed using cricket pads and gloves,” the Union Home Ministry in an official statement.
During interrogation, the accused revealed another consignment stored in Bhiwandi, a key warehousing hub. Acting swiftly, NCB teams raided a warehouse in Rehnal village, where an additional 213 packets of cocaine, each weighing one kilogram, were seized.
“Acting swiftly, NCB team conducted second operation at a warehouse located at Laxman Compound, near Rehnal Bus Stand, Rehnal Gaon, Bhiwandi (District Thane), resulting in the recovery of an additional 213 packets (1 kg each) of cocaine,” the ministry added.
NCB officials said the drugs were concealed inside machine cavities imported into India, pointing to a sophisticated smuggling method. Each packet was wrapped in nine layers of polythene, including a layer coated with a black greasy substance to evade detection. The use of Bhiwandi’s warehousing ecosystem suggested a structured logistics chain involving import, storage, and distribution.
An intensive investigation is underway to identify and arrest the kingpin, handlers, financiers, and intended recipients of the consignment.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the agency’s efforts, calling the operation a “trailblasing example” of tracing a small lead to dismantle a larger network. He reiterated the government’s resolve to “ruthlessly crush” narcotics cartels.
“We are resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel. The @narcoticsbureau has cracked down on a major international narcotics ring, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine worth Rs 1,745 crore in Mumbai. This is a trailblazing example of a bottom-to-top approach where the agency traced back a smaller consignment to net a massive network. Congratulations to Team NCB for this monumental success,” he said in a post on X.
Officials noted that the seizure is significant, as annual cocaine recoveries in India typically range between 200 and 300 kilograms, making this haul one of the largest in recent years.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
