Kenyan Woman Ingests Cocaine Worth Rs 14.2 Cr In Smuggling Bid From Ethiopia; Arrested In Chennai

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, officials intercepted the passenger based on suspicion and discovered that she had ingested 90 cylindrical hyperdense objects.

The Customs officials at Chennai International Airport foiled a smuggling bid and seized 1,424 grams of cocaine worth Rs 14.2 crore. A Kenyan woman, who had arrived from Addis Ababa, was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

According to a press release issued by Principal Commissioner of Customs R Srinivasa Naik on Tuesday, officials intercepted the passenger based on suspicion and discovered that she had ingested 90 cylindrical hyperdense objects. Further examination confirmed that the objects contained cocaine, a banned psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The seized contraband, valued at Rs 14.2 crore in the black market, marks one of the largest drug recoveries by the Customs department in recent times. The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

Gold Smuggling Attempt Foiled, 2 Arrested

In a separate incident on December 15, Customs officials seized 1.7 kilograms of gold worth Rs 1.28 crore and arrested a passenger along with a cabin crew member of an airline.

The officials reportedly acted on the suspicious behaviour of a passenger who during interrogation admitted to handing over the gold to a cabin crew member mid-flight. A subsequent personal search of the cabin crew member led to the recovery of the concealed gold hidden in their inner garments.

Taking to X, Chennai Customs said, "On 15.12.24, the Air Intelligence Unit of Chennai Customs seized 1.7kg of 24ct gold from an Air India cabin crew member and a pax who traveled from Dubai. The pax handed over the gold to the crew member. Both individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody under CA'62."

Further investigations are underway to identify the network involved in the smuggling attempt.