income tax
In a notable operation, Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi successfully intercepted a case involving the smuggling of cocaine via human ingestion.
Customs officers monitored a Ugandan passenger who arrived at Terminal-3 a few days prior. The passenger's unusual gait and body movements raised suspicion. When approached by a customs officer offering assistance, she declined to engage in conversation and appeared increasingly agitated.
Recognizing the passenger's unusual behaviour, Customs officials maintained vigilance. As she moved through the green channel towards the exit gate of the International Arrival hall, officers intervened. During questioning, she disclosed that she had ingested 91 capsules containing narcotics.
Given the critical nature of the situation, the passenger was promptly admitted to RML Hospital. An X-ray assessment revealed her colon, including the ascending, descending, and sigmoid sections, was filled with oval pellets. Under professional medical supervision, an ejection procedure took place, successfully recovering all 91 pellets.
This extensive process spanned several days with Customs staff monitoring the hospital continuously. The pellets yielded a total of 992 grams of a white powdery substance, which testing confirmed to be cocaine.
Upon completion of medical care, hospital authorities turned the passenger over to Customs officials. The passenger faced charges under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, specifically Section 43(b). She was arrested on December 29, 2021, and further investigations are underway.
This incident marks the second significant cocaine detection at IGI Airport within the same month. On December 9, 2021, authorities recovered 2,838 grams of cocaine from a Nigerian woman arriving in New Delhi from Lagos via Dubai.
Overall, Customs officers at IGIA have made considerable strides in combating drug trafficking, recording 24 NDPS-related seizures this year and arresting 32 individuals. The cumulative value of drug confiscations is estimated to exceed Rs. 845 crore.