MUMBAI: Directorate Revenue of Intelligence (DRI) on Monday arrested a Malwai woman smuggling 1kg of cocaine worth Rs 6 crore, hidden in her trolley bag at Mumbai international airport.
DRI arrested Ellena Kasakatira (43) under sections of Narcotic Drugs and Substance Act and she was produced before Esplanade metropolitan magistrate court, which remanded her to judicial custody till December 7.
Addis Ababa in Ethiopia has become an increasingly popular transit point as a result of convenient air services, limited law enforcement and minimal criminal penalties, officials said. Heroin is the most commonly trafficked substance, followed by cannabis and cocaine, they added.
DRI officials said they received information that Kasakatira, travelling from Addis Ababa to Mumbai via Dubai, was carrying something suspicious. On arrival in Mumbai on Monday, examination of her baggage resulted in the recovery of two packages concealed in a cavity in her trolley bag. The contraband was wrapped with black carbon paper to evade detection during screening. “On opening the packages we found white powder. A test confirmed it was pure cocaine,’’ said an official.
This is the second seizure of cocaine by DRI officials within a week. Earlier, DRI officials had seized 502gm of cocaine, shipped here in a parcel, and had arrested four persons.
Cocaine being very expensive is the preferred and most fashionable drug in high society, officials added.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/woman-held-with-rs6cr-cocaine-hidden-in-trolley-bag/articleshow/79396876.cms
