A 43-year-old Kenyan woman has been arrested in India after she was allegedly caught trying to smuggle cocaine into the country by swallowing drug-filled pellets.
The incident took place on Sunday after she landed at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Nairobi. Indian authorities said she was intercepted shortly after arriving on Friday morning.
According to The Indian Express, officers from India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had received a tip-off and were monitoring her movements. Even though she didn’t appear to be carrying any suspicious items, they stopped her for questioning.
A thorough check of her luggage and clothing did not reveal any illegal substances. However, during the interrogation, the woman reportedly confessed to having swallowed several drug pellets. Officials then obtained a court order to admit her to JJ Hospital in Mumbai for further examination and safe extraction of the drugs.
Medical staff at the hospital were able to recover all six pellets from her stomach. Tests conducted later confirmed that the pellets contained cocaine, weighing a total of 665.5 grams. The estimated street value of the drugs has not been disclosed yet.
Following the extraction and testing, the woman was formally placed under arrest. She is currently in custody while investigations continue.
Authorities in India are now working to uncover the local connections she may have had, as well as identify others who might be part of the smuggling network.
An official close to the investigation stated, “It looks like she is part of a larger drug trafficking network that is operating out of Kenya.”
This arrest is the latest in a growing trend of drug trafficking incidents involving African nationals who are using India either as a transit route or a final destination for smuggling drugs.
In a similar case earlier this year, another 43-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested by Indian customs officers in April. She was caught attempting to smuggle 1.7 kilograms of cocaine, which was estimated to be worth between Ksh225 million and Ksh300 million (Rs 15 to 20 crores).
The woman, identified as Emily, was apprehended after arriving at the same airport in Mumbai. She had flown from Nairobi and was en route to Delhi via Doha.
Acting on prior intelligence, customs officials inspected her luggage and discovered four packets containing a suspicious powder. A quick field test confirmed that the substance was cocaine.
Both arrests highlight the increasing involvement of Kenyan nationals in drug smuggling cases and the tightening security measures being taken by Indian authorities to combat international drug trafficking. Investigations into both cases are still ongoing, as officials seek to dismantle the criminal networks behind the operations.
Join Gen Z & Millennials Revolution New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
