Foreign national intercepted by DRI found to purge NDPS capsules

Based on specific Intelligence, one Benin National was intercepted at CSMI Airport Mumbai on 21st June, 2023 by DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit officers. He was produced before the Hon’ble CMM who ordered for his medical examination and recovery of contraband, if any from his body.  During his medical examination he was suspected to have ingested 43 capsules, apparently containing NDPS substance. The passenger was admitted to J J Hospital where, after appropriate treatment, the passenger has purged 43 capsules during his 10 days stay at hospital from 21.06.2023 to 30.06.2023. Total 43 capsules were recovered from his body and, on examination, the substance in capsules tested positive for Heroin. Total 504 grams of light brown sticky substance (valued at approx. ₹5 Crore IMV ) has been recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. The accused person has admitted to have tried to smuggle in narcotics substance. Accordingly , he has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

Body packing is one of the common ways to traffic illicit drugs. Drug mules usually swallow or insert drugs within the gastrointestinal tract or other orifices. Detection of such drug packets has become difficult because of the constantly improving packaging techniques and the sophistication used by traffickers. A delay diagnosis and inappropriate action may carry disastrous physical consequences for the body packers and in extreme situations it can be fatal for the body packers.

Further investigation is underway.